For decades, if not centuries, kabaddi has been a popular sport in India and the surrounding countries but Europe is yet to take to the sport
Football is by far the most popular sport in Europe, and most people have never even heard of kabaddi. The sport has grown throughout Asia, but will it be able to reach a european audience?
Here are some crucial steps that will need to be taken to help kabaddi make the transition to a global sporting phenomenon.
Can Kabaddi Become Popular In Europe
What exactly is kabaddi?
Kabaddi is a team sport that combines tag, wrestling, rugby, and martial arts elements. A match is separated into ‘raids,’ in which a single player from one team seeks to tag as many players on the opposing team as possible in under 30 seconds and return to his side without being tackled. Tagged players are put to the bench and can only return to play if another member of their side earns a point. Because raids are restricted to 30 seconds, the game moves quickly. Tags can be made with either hands or feet, adding to the game’s unpredictability and thrilling aspect.
The most significant potential barrier to kabaddi garnering a larger European following is the complexity and uniqueness of several of the rules. Sports enthusiasts in Europe are likely to be perplexed by a sport that demands them to hold their breath as one of the regulations. However, if there is enough interest in the sport, these issues will fade away.
Broadcasting
Access is critical for generating interest – how can someone be a fan of kabaddi if they have never heard of it? Sports broadcasting is a $30 billion industry, and broadcasters are continually looking for new methods to diversify and increase their holdings. It is easier for international viewers to acquire sporting content now that digital television has captured such a huge share of the market. Still, few European platforms stream kabaddi matches, so one needs to make an effort to watch it.
If the Pro Kabaddi League or the Super Kabaddi League could acquire a significant worldwide television partner, more fans would be able to discover kabaddi much more easily.
Betting & Casino
Opening a sport to international sports betting is a terrific approach to boost popular interest in it. Kabaddi betting has grown in popularity in India in recent years, although it is not a popular betting sport in other nations. You will normally find kabaddi bets available on most Indian betting platforms but nearly impossible to find at the best European online casinos. You can take a look at some EU casinos online on this page to check for yourself.
When worldwide audiences become more aware of the sport’s existence, inviting them to wager on match outcomes is a terrific method to maintain their interest. The ability to wager on sports motivates new fans to learn more about the sport in order to place better bets, which improves their interest and chance of telling others about it.
Marketing
New sports on the international stage almost usually require some strategic marketing to help them gain traction. Esports is an excellent example. Initially, mainstream viewers did not take esports seriously. Esports, on the other hand, are now recognized as legitimate sports with tournaments, national teams, and a large fan base thanks to effective marketing and innovative sponsorship deals. The procedure did not happen quickly, but the end product was well worth the effort.
Finding solid foreign sponsorship arrangements to increase the sport’s visibility will be a crucial step in building a global following for kabaddi. An energy drink business would be a great sponsor for kabaddi because it is such a fast-paced activity that is instantly engaging even to spectators who don’t grasp the rules. If highlights from the Pro Kabaddi Tournaments were utilized in ads, it’s simple to picture how many new worldwide followers the sport would gain.
Leagues for amateurs
Many people outside of Brazil were first introduced to capoeira through local schools and festivals. This allowed the dancing martial art to reach out to new people who had never heard of it before. These schools sprouted up all over the world, but they thrived in cities and villages where there was a strong Brazilian population, which helped them gain traction. Small communities grew up around these schools until they became large enough to catch the attention of the media and reach a large audience.
By following the same trend, kabaddi could gain international popularity. Small clubs and amateur leagues would attract new fans to the sport. Curios newbies are less likely to be scared and uncomfortable with attempting anything new if they focus on amateur leagues and non-competitive activities. Because it does not require any expensive equipment or a unique playing ground, kabaddi is likely to appeal to amateur audiences. This makes it less scary to try because there isn’t a significant financial investment required before you can play.
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