Kabaddi

Kabaddi is sometimes referred to as the "game of the masses" due to its popularity in Asia and its simple format. No sophisticated equipment is required to play the game.

Kabaddi originated in South Asia and is played with two teams of 12 players (seven on court, and five in reserve). The game consists of two halves of 20 minutes each. Two teams compete., alternating between defence and offence.

The purpose of the game is to reach the highest score by touching or capturing the opposing team's players, while continuously chanting "kabaddi-kabaddi". Points are scored by raiding into the opponents' court and touching as many defence players as possible without getting caught. Players on the defensive side are called "antis", while those on the offence are "raiders".

The raider enters the opponent's court chanting the word "kabaddi" while holding his breath and has to continue to do so until he returns to his home court. Antis touched by a raider during the attack are declared "out" if they do not succeed in catching the raider before he returns to his home court.

The game calls for agility, good lung capacity, muscular coordination and quick reflexes.

Credit: en.beijing2008.cn
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