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Kabaddi (particularly circle kabaddi) is a sport mainly played by the South Asian community in Canada. A number of club competitions take place in Canada, some of which attract players from countries such as India.
History
Kabaddi is noted for being particularly popular amongst the Punjabi community in Canada. It has become a popular high school sport in some parts of Surrey. Millions of dollars have been invested into kabaddi stadiums in Brampton and Surrey.
Kabaddi tournaments receive support from local businesses, as well as politicians who use them to obtain Punjabi votes. The tournaments have also been used to incentivize South Asians to avoid gang involvement.
Controversy
Kabaddi has been alleged to have ties to gangsterism; for example, the National Kabaddi Association President, Kamaljit Singh 'Neetu' Kang, was targeted in a drive-by shooting in 2023. Other allegations include links to people-smuggling and drug abuse; of the 261 Indian kabaddi players who entered Canada between 2014 and 2017, only about half returned to India.
Canadians involved in kabaddi have also been alleged to have been involved in drug-related crimes in India.
References
- ^ "Canada Calling: Kabaddi and crime in maple country". The Indian Express. 2023-05-07. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- "Have you played kabaddi? Hard-hitting sport coming to Windsor for inaugural tournament". Windsor. 2023-07-25. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- "On high ground". Hindustan Times. 2013-11-30. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- ^ Feds open door to more foreign players for kabaddi https://vancouversun.com/ Peter O'Neil
- "PHOTOS: Kabaddi players raid and stop in Surrey as the sport takes root in local high schools". Surrey Now-Leader. 2022-05-19. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- Mall, posted by: Rattan (2017-06-07). "Kabaddi takes off in a spectacular manner in Surrey schools (update: semi-finals results)". Indo-Canadian Voice. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- Surrey high school Kabaddi league brings generations together https://www.cbc.ca/ Tina Lovgreen
- Guardian, Graeme Frisque Brampton (2023-06-26). "'Never seen a tournament that big': Popularity of Punjabi contact sport Kabaddi exploding in Brampton". Brampton Guardian. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- "New $3.7 million Kabaddi stadium is coming to Surrey | Urbanized". dailyhive.com. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- Brampton Kabaddi players to get new stadium https://www.cbc.ca/
- Witt, Emily (2008-10-30). "Indian sport kabaddi comes to Queens". Queens Chronicle. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- "'Kabaddi' world cup diverts Surrey youth from gangs". British Columbia. 2018-07-15. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- "PHOTOS/VIDEO: Anti-gang focus for youth Kabaddi World Cup at Surrey park". Surrey Now-Leader. 2019-07-16. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- Reporter, Roveena Jassal Staff (2023-06-18). "Kabaddi season kicks off in Canada". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2023-09-19.
- Douglas Todd: Half of Indian athletes who came to Canada failed to go home https://vancouversun.com/ Douglas Todd
- "After drugs, money laundering taint hits Punjab kabaddi". Hindustan Times. 2014-03-03. Retrieved 2023-09-19.