How a kabaddi club is changing Indian girls' lives

Meena's eyes darted rapidly from side to side, searching for the opportune moment to strike. She was engaged in Kabaddi, a contact sport originating from India, now popular in over 50 countries worldwide. Kabaddi matches are played between two teams of seven players each. Players take turns running into the opposing team's half, touching opposing players, and returning to their own half without being tackled.

But for 14-year-old Meena, the sport means far more than just scoring points. Kabaddi provides her with an escape from a restrictive rural life and opens up a world of opportunities. "When I play, it feels different," she said shyly, struggling to find the right words. "In that moment, I am not the Meena bound by household chores, weighed down by pressure and expectations. It’s just me and my opponents... I feel stronger than other girls who don't play sports."

Meena lives on the outskirts of Kudus, a small tribal village about 230 kilometers from Mumbai, India's financial hub, where girls' lives traditionally revolve around housework, marriage, and children. But 15 years ago, a group of teachers at the village school decided to offer girls more opportunities. "I have a daughter. I want her to achieve something in life, to have the best life, to make a difference," said Daji Rajguru, one of the teachers. "Why can't girls play Kabaddi and make a career out of it?"

Thus, he and his colleagues, who had also played Kabaddi in their youth, thought it would be good to teach local girls the sport. They pooled their savings—5,000 rupees (about $60; £50)—to persuade the school to let them use the grounds and started what they believe was the first all-girls Kabaddi club in the region. Initially, only two students from the school joined. "Parents were reluctant to let their daughters play Kabaddi because it meant spending a lot of time away from home," he said. "They were also worried it might affect their daughters' marriage prospects," as traditional families would not approve of girls going out and coming home late.

Daji and his colleagues went door-to-door to assure parents that their daughters would be safe playing Kabaddi during training sessions before and after school. They promised them they would properly supervise the girls and not let them get distracted by boys. Initially, the teachers would pick up the girls from their homes, but as the numbers grew, they could no longer do this. Now, the club has about 30 girls, and they estimate that about 300 girls have been trained since they started coaching, including Daji's own daughter. Some girls start playing Kabaddi as young as seven years old.

Like the other members of the club, Meena trains for two hours before school and two hours after school. She has to leave home at dawn and does not return until dark. "I go alone, and it's very dark in the morning. I used to be scared that someone would do something to me. My family didn't support me then, and they are still unhappy about my choice to be an athlete," she said. But she has persevered, inspired by club members who have excelled over the years and joined state teams or local leagues. Siddhi Chalke and Samruddhi Brandekar were among the first girls to train at the club for about eight years. Now, at 25, they are professional league players and financially independent.

Initially, their families thought playing Kabaddi was just a phase that would pass, and their parents were not happy when these women decided to pursue it as a career. They still face pressure to get married, but at the same time, their families are also proud of these women's achievements. "No one in my family earns as much as I do," said Samruddhi. "I live in a big city now and can make my own decisions. Coming from my community, it's very hard for girls to pursue what they want. I am here only because of Kabaddi," she said. Siddhi and Samruddhi play on the same team—their friendship was born out of Kabaddi. They have traveled all over India for matches, winning medals and championships. "I can only do this because of Kabaddi. Otherwise, I would have been married and ended up washing dishes at my husband's house," said Siddhi, and they both laughed, seeming relieved to have escaped such a fate.

In India, excelling in sports can also help athletes find jobs in the public sector. Indian states allocate jobs for outstanding talents in sports, guaranteeing an income even after an athlete's sporting career ends. Many rural girls participate in sports with the dream of gaining financial independence through these jobs. This can also help them gain greater respect and recognition. "When we started the sports club, no one valued these girls. They were always second-class citizens at home and in society," said Vilas Bendre, one of the young coaches at the club. "But we realized that when rural girls progress in life through sports, their lives change significantly. The way they talk, their demeanor, their way of life, everything changes."

Even if they do not become professional athletes, many members of the club have seen their self-confidence grow and have convinced their families to let them go to college and postpone marriage until they are older. The community has also become more accepting, and people no longer frown when they see the girls exercising. The club is funded by the coaches, cash prizes the team wins at tournaments, and occasional donations. Most of the girls come from poor and disadvantaged families and do not have to pay any membership fees. In addition to training during the term, the club also organizes and funds residential sports camps at the school during the summer, providing food like eggs, bananas, and milk, and often covering the cost of medical treatment for injuries.

Over time, parents' concerns have eased, but critics sometimes question the coaches' motives. "People will indirectly say, 'Why don't you teach boys?'" Daji said. But he says that boys already have plenty of opportunities, while there is a gap for girls in this regard. "We are not just their coaches," Vilas added. "Sometimes we are their parents, guiding them, disciplining them, and helping them make the right choices." Meena knows the potential of this precious opportunity: "I want to be the best raider and be the captain of the Indian Kabaddi team," she said, daring to dream of medals, championships, and an escape from the life of an ordinary village girl.