Farmers Movement Archive

Twists & Turns: Kabaddi tournament perks up farmers at Singhu border

NEW DELHI: In order to give a boost to the ongoing protest by farmers at Singhu border, 12 teams of girls from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi participated in a kabaddi tournament organised on Sunday. The girls had covered hundreds of kilometres to reach the border. Amid applause from scores of farmers gathered around the makeshift kabaddi court, the teams contested matches on red-white mats under two categories: under-14 and open for all (no age limit). Each match was of 40 minutes with a five-minute break. The players, whose parents were mostly farmers or labourers, continued to play even in the rain. They said they had come not to win or lose, but to express solidarity with the farmers. Khushi Panchal, a 14-year-old student of Class X from Haryana’s Hatt village, said, “Though I have played in national-level tournaments, the excitement and energy was totally different at Singhu border compared with big events. We played here proudly for a cause.” The daughter of a farmer from Haryana, Komal Lamba (13), a student of Class VIII, said, “My parents, four sisters and brother were elated when they came to know that I was going to Singhu border to play in front of the farmers. We are happy to contribute to the farmers’ movement in a small way.” Lamba added, “We got a platform to showcase our talent. Besides, it was the first time when my kabaddi match was covered by the media.” Another kabaddi player, Sokpreet (20) from Mehna village in Moga district of Punjab, said, “My parents are daily-wagers. The farmers are struggling for the withdrawal of the three black laws even in the rain and cold. We hope that our tournament helped in lifting their spirits.” Payal Kumari, a 22-year-old pursuing MCom from a college affiliated with Delhi University, has been playing kabaddi for the past seven years at an academy in outer Delhi’s Narela. She said, “I have played in many matches in Delhi and Punjab, but I have never been so happy. When we play elsewhere, we always think about winning awards. However, we came to Singhu border only to support the farmers.” Bhoop Singh Bhura, a kabaddi coach from Jind in Haryana, said, “Kabaddi is an ancient sport played in almost all villages of Punjab and Haryana. Like boys, a large number of young girls have started playing it due to its popularity. As most of the girls are from the farming background, they came here to show their support.” The general secretary of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, Sarvan Singh Pandher, said, “Many international kabaddi coaches had approached us to organise a tournament at Singhu border. They told us that we would not have to give any reward to the winners and they would make arrangements for the mats. However, as we received many donations, we gifted Rs 2,100 in cash to all teams and our union in the one-day tournament as a reminder of our campaign.”

The Times of India

2021-01-04

Delhi