Sadly when it comes to sport repeated success brings with it expectation, and a sense of entitlement. Just look at Manchester United in the immediate post Ferguson era if you want proof. Many modern day fans forgetting the barren years before Ferguson came to Old Trafford.
At the Asian Games in Jakarta many tears were shed as India, who had won every men’s and Women’s Kabaddi Gold medal since the sport had been included in the games had to settle for Silver in the Women’s event and Bronze in the Men’s.
The men had won seven consecutive Gold medals since 1990 and the women two since 2010 when Women’s Kabbadi was first included.
These were, if you listened to some, sad times for India, after all they lay claim to having invented the sport. Maybe they will have some sympathy now with England fans and how despite ‘inventing’ a number of sports they rarely win in major events.
Yet in truth India should be celebrating the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran, who they defeated in the World Cup final, were victorious over them in the semi-final, and that Korea again defeated them. Why you may ask?
The reason is simple. In 2016 when India hosted the Kabaddi World Cup the message was very clear, that Kabaddi was India’s gift to the World. Here was a unique game to India, albeit with similar games in other parts of the globe, but after cleverly packaging the game for Television they had created an exciting, tactical game which incorporates defence and attack.
The Pro Kabaddi League surprised many with its immediate popularity. As part of the long term plan to grow the game each franchise included foreign players. These foreign players in turn have benefited from playing for some of the top coaches and playing alongside some of the best in the game. Their involvement has also helped create interest in overseas markets. For example Kabaddi is now part of school activities in Korea.
In the lead up to the 2016 World Cup in Ahmedabad India sent some of its top coaches to those nations who had agreed to participate to help them develop players and teams. It was a big ask, but these coaches helped increase the awareness of the game and teach the rudimentary skills to people who had never played it as children.
There was always a plan to grow the game. The success of teams other than India at the Asian Games has shown that those who set out to make Kabaddi bigger than just an Indian sport have done an outstanding job. The loss may still hurt at this point in time, but the fact that other nations can now challenge and beat India will only benefit the sport as a whole.
Now India and its players will have to raise their game. No longer can their fans expect them to win. As for the players they will have to be at the top of their game if they want to stand atop the podium again.
What has also been great is the opportunity for Indian coaches to spread their wings and take on the challenge of bringing other nations through to be able to compete with India.
What is sad is that Iran’s women’s coach Indian Shailaja Jain, who masterminded their success, said that she was made to “feel like a criminal for coaching outside.” Her decision to leave India and help Iran was totally justified and as her team claimed the Gold medal with a famous 27-24 victory in the final. She also struck a blow for female coaches. India’s women being coached by a man.
Long may the development continue, and Kabbadi continue its march for global acceptance.
