Bangladesh achievements in Kabaddi.

One of the reason's why Bangladesh chose Kabaddi was to revive the most played sport of the sub-continent that was erased by colonial rule. "This was an easy game to understand, and it was what the farmers played in the villages during festivities. Prizes included cattle, radio, rice...The sport is part of our culture," said Abdul Jalil, a Bangladesh Kabaddi player.

Till the 1990s, Kabaddi mostly stayed in the background in the \urban areas. Football and cricket were the most played games and Hockey was second in line to gain popularity in the country. Football and cricket leagues earned great amounts of money and audience while Kabaddi was yet to receive popularity. Kabaddi was a game of rural Bangladesh then. Little did anyone know the pace at which the sport was about to grow.

This, despite some international success. Bangladesh won silver in the 1990, 1994 and 2002, and bronze in the 1998, 2006, 2010, 2014 Asian games. They also won silver in the South Asian Games in 1985, 1987 and 1995 and again silver in Asian Championships of 1980 and 1989. Bronze in the world cups of 2004 and 2007, and another bronze in 2012's Women's World Cup are also some of Bangladesh's achievements in Kabaddi.

Arduzzaman Munshi, the Bangladesh team captain who's an officer in the navy said, "This sport is my life, so I try to train and play all the time." "When I was a child in my village in Bagerhat district, I used to see my elder brother play ha-du-du", said Munshi about his childhood memories of the sport.

As far as the Indian Pro Kabaddi League is concerned, it has given many Bangladeshi players an opportunity to earn money in the game. Out of a total of 442 players who were selected for the PKL 2021 auction, 8 were from Bangladesh, the highest no. of players from a country in the tournament. Three players chosen for the tournament were Tuhin Tarafder, Ziaur Rahman and Masud Karim. “I've gathered a lot of experience from Pro Kabaddi. I think it can be an inspiration and reward for our young players who want to come in Kabaddi,” said Masud.