Technology
Will push for Kabaddi's inclusion in next Olympics: Rijiju
New Delhi, Oct 7
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has said that the government will be pushing hard for the inclusion of Kabaddi in the 2024 Olympic Games scheduled to be held in Paris.
"As a Sports Minister, I am very excited and have always thought of how to promote indigenous sports in a big way. Kabaddi is a perfect example of how an indigenous sport has grown successfully," Rijiju said while speaking on KBD Live on Star Sports.
"This I feel is the beginning of the sports culture that we envisaged for India which is now becoming a reality. We will definitely push hard for Kabaddi to be part of the next Olympics as we are a billion plus powerful nation and so for this to become possible, we will have to put all our efforts together, but I am very confident about it," he added.
Kabaddi is part of the Asian Games but not of Olympics. In 1936, it however, was played as a demonstration sport at the Berlin Olympics.
For a sport to be included in the Olympics, it must be played by men in at least 75 countries and on four continents and by women in no fewer than 40 countries and on three continents.
There are 40 countries who have their national Kabaddi teams. Twelve countries participated in the Kabaddi World Cup 2016 in Ahmedabad.
At the 2018 Asian Games held in Indonesia, Iran became the first country outside of India to win gold medals in Kabaddi, with India's men's team winning bronze, and India's women's team being beaten by Iran to win silver.
"As a Sports Minister, I am very excited and have always thought of how to promote indigenous sports in a big way. Kabaddi is a perfect example of how an indigenous sport has grown successfully," Rijiju said while speaking on KBD Live on Star Sports.
"This I feel is the beginning of the sports culture that we envisaged for India which is now becoming a reality. We will definitely push hard for Kabaddi to be part of the next Olympics as we are a billion plus powerful nation and so for this to become possible, we will have to put all our efforts together, but I am very confident about it," he added.
Kabaddi is part of the Asian Games but not of Olympics. In 1936, it however, was played as a demonstration sport at the Berlin Olympics.
For a sport to be included in the Olympics, it must be played by men in at least 75 countries and on four continents and by women in no fewer than 40 countries and on three continents.
There are 40 countries who have their national Kabaddi teams. Twelve countries participated in the Kabaddi World Cup 2016 in Ahmedabad.
At the 2018 Asian Games held in Indonesia, Iran became the first country outside of India to win gold medals in Kabaddi, with India's men's team winning bronze, and India's women's team being beaten by Iran to win silver.
1 hour ago
Donald Trump's assassination suspect charged with firearms offences
1 hour ago
After historic first spacewalk, billionaire entrepreneur bats for future commercial collaborations with governments
1 hour ago
Iran one of the foremost executioners of women globally, say foreign ministers in joint statement
1 hour ago
'Misinformed and unacceptable': India hits out at Iran's supreme leader's remarks
7 hours ago
Tension in Karnataka district, two arrested for provocative statements
7 hours ago
Islamic fundamentalists should refrain from attacks on Hindus: VHP
7 hours ago
PM Modi turns 74 on September 17: Here is how he rang in his birthday over the years
7 hours ago
Manipur government restores internet, schools and colleges to reopen on Tuesday
7 hours ago
Shiv Sena MLA offers Rs 11 lakh for chopping off Rahul Gandhi's tongue; MVA hits back
7 hours ago
RG Kar protests: Junior doctors agree to meet CM, seek nod for one of three conditions
8 hours ago
Kejriwal orchestrating drama over giving up CM’s post: Sandeep Dikshit (IANS Interview)
8 hours ago
Mamata govt handled RG Kar incident badly: Jawhar Sircar shares why he quit (IANS Interview)
8 hours ago
Biden condemns all violence after Trump assassination bid