Will Beach Kabaddi Make Waves at the Khelo India Beach Games?

Diu, May 20 (NationPress) Beach kabaddi is poised to create a significant impact as the beloved indigenous sport transitions from the mat to the sand for its thrilling debut at the Khelo India Beach Games 2025 in Diu.

While the traditional mat version of kabaddi enjoys immense popularity in India, being a medal event in the Asian Games and home to a well-known kabaddi league, beach kabaddi introduces a fresh concept. Last year’s Diu Beach Games featured beach kabaddi as part of its lineup.

Simrat Gaikwad, serving as both venue coordinator and senior coach at Ghoghla beach, the hub for all eight KIBG events including two demonstration matches, believes these are exhilarating times for beach kabaddi.

“It’s a new concept. Khelo India Beach Games present a fantastic platform for this sport, which will surely help in its popularization,” she remarked.

Sunita, coach of the Delhi girls kabaddi team, shares similar optimism. “The setting is completely different with the stunning sea as a backdrop. Kabaddi is already widely favored in India, and I hope beach kabaddi makes its own mark,” she expressed.

Beach kabaddi presents greater challenges than its mat counterpart, as players must contend with environmental factors.

For instance, if a player's feet sink into the sand, it can impede movement. Matches are held outdoors under sunlight, demanding greater stamina. Wind conditions can vary, further influencing performance, making beach kabaddi even more complex.

Sunita notes that teams from non-coastal states face additional challenges as the conditions are unfamiliar. “We have good artificial sand turf, but the natural environment adds to the difficulty,” she told SAI Media.

Gaikwad, a veteran of seven national championships with numerous accolades, currently resides in Thane, Mumbai. She believes in the sport's potential for growth, despite recognizing the need for significant progress.

“If these events occur regularly, more individuals will be drawn to the sport. A viable career path will encourage beach kabaddi to flourish,” she stated.

While the essence of beach kabaddi remains similar to traditional kabaddi, it features some distinct rules and regulations.

For example, teams consist of four players instead of seven, and each half lasts 15 minutes rather than the usual 20. Players cannot be revived, and the field is smaller to accommodate the beach environment.

During KIBG 2025, teams are organized into two pools for both boys and girls, with eight teams in each. The top two teams from each pool will proceed to the semifinals. Beach kabaddi matches commenced on Tuesday, with finals scheduled for the event's concluding day on Saturday.