Surrey high school Kabaddi league brings generations together
Kabaddi is a traditional Indian team sport falling somewhere between tag and red rover, with tons of wrestling
Surrey's newest sports league is bringing a traditional Indian sport to younger generations.
"As long as I can remember, Kabaddi has been part of my community and I've always been going out to watch. This is the first time I got a chance to play and I love playing it," said player Paulvir Dosanj.
Teams from Tamanawis, Enver Creek, L.A. Matheson and Panorama Ridge secondary schools have taken part in the first-ever Surrey High School Kabaddi League.
Kabaddi is a traditional Indian team sport falling somewhere between tag and red rover, with a lot of wrestling thrown in.
The rules are a little more complicated and the physical demands much higher.
Teams are positioned at opposite ends of a small field, with players standing barefoot.
There are 4 players on each side, called stoppers. They lock arms, as each team takes turns sending in a "raider."
The raider tries to tag a member of the opposite team, earning a point, but only if he can get back across the centre line. The defending team tries to stop and hold the raider, most often with a tackle.
Connects parents, grandparents
The semi-final game played at L.A. Matheson Secondary School on Tuesday drew hundreds of spectators, many from the high school but also some older fans.
"Kabaddi is a sport that really resonates within this community. It carries memories for a lot of students' fathers and grandparents," said organizer Mandeep Dhaliwal.
He said it gives parents, grandparents and other elderly people in the community a way to connect to the schools.
"When they see a kabaddi game on, they walk over, and get a lot of pride," he said.
As for the younger generation, they've also fully welcomed the traditional game and are invested in it.
"It brings diversity to the school and allows everybody to be part of something," Simrin Hundal, a student at L.A. Matheson.
Organizers also hope the sport will give students in the Surrey school district another alternative to getting in trouble.
"It just provides one more positive outlet. It was a way for us to tap them on the shoulder and say, you know what, you can channel your energy this way," said Dhaliwal.
"The sport carries a lot of pride, to be a kabaddi player it is not easy. It takes a lot of strength, a lot of courage to get out there and battle other people," he said.
He said the sport is all about positivity and sportsmanship.
"If you have a good battle with someone, a good wrestling battle with someone you put out your hand and you lift them up," he said.
The league was formed three months ago, but Dhaliwal hopes the sport will be part of the school district's athletic's association program eventually.
The final game of the tournament will be played at Tamanwis Secondary School on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m.
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