Kabaddi is a sport that is most commonly associated with men. However, during its more than 4,000 years of history, it has also seen quite a deal of female participation. The 1xBet platform features kabaddi kabaddi updates, where both male and female competitions can be followed and wagered.
The sport has been played in many instances, with 4 of them being:
- rural settings;
- in fields;
- during festivals;
- and local competitions.
However, the recognition, promotion, and organization for women’s kabaddi took much longer to materialize.
Fast forward to the 20th century. While kabaddi for men was making its mark in the Asian Games and getting standardized rules, women’s kabaddi was still largely confined to grassroots levels. However, women’s kabaddi was there, latent and waiting to emerge. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, regional tournaments began featuring women’s teams, acting as catalysts for a larger, more organized push. If you like kabaddi, then you will love the kabaddi updates that can be found only at the 1xBet platform.
It was the early 2000s when things began to pick up pace. The efforts to get women’s kabaddi the attention it deserved finally bore fruit in the 2010 Asian Games held in Guangzhou, China. Women kabaddi players got their rightful place alongside men, competing at such a high-profile event. The Indian national female kabaddi team simply shined. This is because they claimed a gold medal, establishing not just their dominance but also highlighting the potential and depth of talent in the country.
Experiencing a huge growth
Post this international success, women kabaddi players started getting more national attention. However, the real game-changer was the inception of the Women’s Kabaddi Challenge (WKC) in 2016. Mirroring the Pro Kabaddi League’s (PKL) format for men, this was a professional-level league exclusively for women. The kabaddi betting sites that only 1xBet can provide also allow bettors to place wagers on both the PKL and the WKC too.
The WKC has some amazing teams too, with 3 great examples being:
- the Storm Queens;
- the Ice Divas;
- and the Fire Birds.
Also, the WKC was broadcasted during prime time and showcased some nail-biting, edge-of-the-seat kabaddi action.
The WKC turned the players into household names. Faces like Mamtha Poojari, Kishori Shinde, and Abhilasha Mhatre became synonymous with grit, determination, and exceptional skill on the mat. These players, with their dedication, became inspirations for countless young girls across the country who aspired to break boundaries and challenge stereotypes.
Now, speaking of stereotypes, the journey of women’s kabaddi wasn’t without its challenges. Players often battled societal expectations, conservative family backgrounds, and the age-old narrative of what women “should” and “shouldn’t” do. The physical nature of kabaddi also led to questions about it being an “appropriate” sport for women. However, thanks to their performances, female kabaddi has finally managed to establish itself as a serious deal in India.
But India is not the only place that has seen female kabaddi growing. There are other 3 nations where women’s kabaddi has also experienced a surge in popularity, which are Iran, Thailand and Bangladesh. Competition has increased over time, meaning that now all fans can enjoy a competition of even higher quality. The betting sites 1xBet also allow its members to place wagers on female kabaddi competitions that take place in those nations too.
To wrap up, we can say that the history of women’s kabaddi is simply admirable. It was a sport that, during its more than 4 millennia of history, was dominated by men. However, during the 20th century, women also began to claim their rightful place in the sport. This has contributed greatly to the overall appeal of the discipline, as even more fans will be able to be identified with it.
