Kabaddi in Canada
Kabaddi (particularly circle kabaddi)[1] is a sport mainly played by the South Asian community in Canada. A number of club competitions take place in Canada,[2] some of which attract players from countries such as India.[3]
History
[edit]Kabaddi is noted for being particularly popular amongst the Punjabi community in Canada.[4] It has become a popular high school sport in some parts of Surrey.[5][6][7] Millions of dollars have been invested into kabaddi stadiums in Brampton and Surrey.[8][9][10]
Kabaddi tournaments receive support from local businesses,[11] as well as politicians who use them to obtain Punjabi votes.[4] The tournaments have also been used to incentivize South Asians to avoid gang involvement.[12][13][14]
Controversy
[edit]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.[1] 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.[4][15]
Canadians involved in kabaddi have also been alleged to have been involved in drug-related crimes in India.[16]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "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.
- ^ a b c 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.