Kabaddi

Kabaddi (/kəˈbædi/, /ˈkʌbədi/) is a contact team sport played between two teams of seven players. It is one of the traditional games of South Asia. In the game, a raider enters the opposing half of the court to tag the defenders and attempt to return within 30 seconds without being tackled. Points are awarded for successful tags, while defenders earn a point for tackling the raider. Tagged or tackled players are temporarily out but can re-enter when their team scores. Raids alternate between teams throughout the game.

It is popular in South Asia and nearby Asian countries. Although accounts of kabaddi are found in ancient India, the game was popularised as a competitive sport in the 20th century. It is the national sport of Bangladesh. It is the third most popular and viewed sport in India after cricket and football. It is the state game of the Indian states of Punjab, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Andra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.

There are two major forms: "Punjabi kabaddi", also called "circle style", consists of the traditional forms of the sport that are played outdoors on a circular field, and the "standard/rectangular style", which is played indoors on a rectangular court, and is played in major professional leagues and international competitions such as the Asian Games.