Indian women take over ′men′s sport′ | All media content | DW | 27.07.2016

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Asia

Indian women take over 'men's sport'

India recently launched its first women professional Kabaddi league. The popular South Asian sport has traditionally been dominated by men but women Kabaddi players say they are out there to demonstrate the 'girl power.'

  • Einfache Regeln aber voller Körpereinsatz

    Three league teams

    In April, India's best Kabaddi players were selected to play for the three league teams. Here, the Firebirds take on the Ice Divas in New Delhi.

  • Einfache Regeln aber voller Körpereinsatz

    Catch me if you can!

    Kabaddi is a high-intensity contact sport originated in ancient India. Each team has seven players. A lone "raider" seeks to touch as many opposition players as possible before returning to his or her half of the area of play without being tackled.

  • Einfache Regeln aber voller Körpereinsatz

    Defenders on the attack

    The opposing team tries to stop the raider on the way back into her zone, as seen in this picture. If the defenders succeed in stopping the raider from getting back to her half, they are awarded a point. The game lasts for 40 minutes, divided into two halves.

  • Pakistan - India Punjab Spiele

    'Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi...'

    The sport requires immense physical exertion, and some movements are similar to rugby and football. At each turn, the attacker must hold his breath and chant "Kabaddi, Kabaddi" repeatedly to prove that he is not inhaling.

  • Jetzt kennt jeder Haushalt Frauen-Kabaddi

    Girl power

    Though Kabbadi is not as popular as other sports in India, Mamtha Poojari, the captain of the Firebirds team, is now a well-known figure in the country. "Kabaddi is now associated with the 'girl power,'" says Poojari. "In India, most people think it is a sport for men. But thanks to the women's Kabaddi league, the perception is changing," she added.

  • Rekordzuschauerzahlen für Frauen-Liga Kabaddi Indien

    Record viewership

    Around 38 million people watched the first two games of the women's championship on television. According to the Star India TV channel, no other women's sport in India has attracted so many viewers.


  • Einfache Regeln aber voller Körpereinsatz

    Three league teams

    In April, India's best Kabaddi players were selected to play for the three league teams. Here, the Firebirds take on the Ice Divas in New Delhi.

  • Einfache Regeln aber voller Körpereinsatz

    Catch me if you can!

    Kabaddi is a high-intensity contact sport originated in ancient India. Each team has seven players. A lone "raider" seeks to touch as many opposition players as possible before returning to his or her half of the area of play without being tackled.

  • Einfache Regeln aber voller Körpereinsatz

    Defenders on the attack

    The opposing team tries to stop the raider on the way back into her zone, as seen in this picture. If the defenders succeed in stopping the raider from getting back to her half, they are awarded a point. The game lasts for 40 minutes, divided into two halves.

  • Pakistan - India Punjab Spiele

    'Kabaddi, Kabaddi, Kabaddi...'

    The sport requires immense physical exertion, and some movements are similar to rugby and football. At each turn, the attacker must hold his breath and chant "Kabaddi, Kabaddi" repeatedly to prove that he is not inhaling.

  • Jetzt kennt jeder Haushalt Frauen-Kabaddi

    Girl power

    Though Kabbadi is not as popular as other sports in India, Mamtha Poojari, the captain of the Firebirds team, is now a well-known figure in the country. "Kabaddi is now associated with the 'girl power,'" says Poojari. "In India, most people think it is a sport for men. But thanks to the women's Kabaddi league, the perception is changing," she added.

  • Rekordzuschauerzahlen für Frauen-Liga Kabaddi Indien

    Record viewership

    Around 38 million people watched the first two games of the women's championship on television. According to the Star India TV channel, no other women's sport in India has attracted so many viewers.


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