In a refreshing step forward from holding mainstream sports series, Pakistan starting tomorrow is set to host the first Super Kabaddi League in the country. The Super Kabaddi League will take place from 2-10 May, with over sixteen international players from seven countries and 116 national players reportedly set to take part in the league. Franchised based teams representing cities of Lahore, Multan Gujrat, Karachi, Islamabad, Gwadar, Faisalabad, and Peshawar will partake in the inaugural edition of Super Kabaddi League. The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation is behind this event, which is becoming the talk of the town for a host of reasons. And, here is our take on why this is so.
Super Excited for the 1st season of @Super_Kabaddi League ! #SuperKabaddiLeague .Hope after PSL this SKL will prove to be the success and other Sports Federations will follow the trend . pic.twitter.com/rWNmy8x1rA
— Abdul Ghaffar (@GhaffarDawnNews) April 30, 2018
Coming up next: match schedule!#SuperKabaddiLeague pic.twitter.com/2D3qhBkJIW
— Telenor Super Kabaddi League (@Super_Kabaddi) April 30, 2018
Captains of all the 10 teams have reached the venue for #SuperKabaddiLeague draws ceremony. Let’s see who joins each other in pools for the inaugural edition of SKL. pic.twitter.com/47FeBcU8Cv
— Pakistan Photos (@PhotosPakistan) April 30, 2018
The Super Kabaddi League is an important bridge between what is considered rural and urban.
Are you ready for the biggest Kabaddi event in country? Opening ceremony of Pakistan’s first #SuperKabaddiLeague will be held tomorrow. Come and support Pakistan’s traditional sports. pic.twitter.com/aaospBqdIL
— Hina Butt (@hinaparvezbutt) April 30, 2018
Glad that athletes like Inam Butt are getting some recognition. Hope #SuperKabaddiLeague will bring unnoticed and neglected talent out of oblivion. https://t.co/kqI2ywDP9S
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) April 30, 2018
#SuperKabaddiLeague is a brave new effort to repackaged an old sport in Pakistan pic.twitter.com/m30jmc0R08
— Bhooki Abeer ???????????? (@DMisHaram) April 30, 2018
In a country that crazes itself over cricket tournaments such as the PSL, the Super Kabaddi League is a great encouragement for the sport’s enthusiasts from around Pakistan. Kabaddi, a famous contact team sport is being played in South Asia since decades now, particularly in rural areas. Now, it is taking greater force in cities as well, which is a great amalgamation of rural and urban ways of life. An amalgamation that hopefully will help do away with the stringent notions of what urban centers perceive to be a ‘backward’ way of living. Truth be told, our rural areas are finally getting due credit in how they are at the heart of shaping Pakistan’s culture in a way that makes us unique.
What is best about the league is the female participation in the games.
SHOUT OUT ???????????????????????? for the
Women players of the sport!The Women team of Kabaddi would be revealed in the first season of Super kabaddi league. IMPRESSIVE!!!!!
#SuperKabaddiLeague pic.twitter.com/Khsyc0D1ke— Sawera Pasha (@sawerapasha) April 30, 2018
Meet these super girls Laiba Masood and Hazeema Saeed, both Kabaddi players and will be in action for an exhibition match on sidelines of #SuperKabaddiLeague this season. Hats off to these girls, amazing confidence. pic.twitter.com/c04sak5K5B
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) April 30, 2018
For a traditional sport, the involvement of female players is quite untraditional in a way. These women are breaking a lot of norms in their participation. They are breaking stereotypes of the limits society assigns to the female body in terms of public participation in sports. Like women cricketers do, here is hoping that Pakistan’s female Kabaddi players continue to shine and do us all proud.
The preparations for the opening ceremony today are also creating quite the excitement around the Super Kabaddi League.
Shehnaae, dhol and national anthem. This video from rehearsal confirms that #SuperKabaddiLeague opening ceremony tomorrow is going to be a top event. (Video credit @mak_asif) pic.twitter.com/PJjBRH6d91
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) April 30, 2018
The matches are set to kick off from Wednesday, May 3.
The draw held yesterday led to the following schedule and everyone has their eyes out for a great show of sportsmanship.
Final schedule of matches#SuperKabaddiLeague pic.twitter.com/UNTCVDcFfI
— Telenor Super Kabaddi League (@Super_Kabaddi) April 30, 2018
Kabaddi Super League has created a fresh wave of excitement for Pakistan. It has given people a chance to celebrate mounds of talent in Pakistan, which is often untapped into. The scale of the league is sure to attract international attention as well. Here is to hoping that the Kabaddi Super League is a first of many sports tournaments that diversify the sports played and appreciated in Pakistan.
