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THE sporting highlight of the annual Shaheedi Memorial Tournament is kabaddi.
Seen occasionally in Australia, it is a high-energy, full-contact team sport that is popular across Asia and in particular the sub-continent, but can now be found being played around the world.
The Griffith competition attracts teams from around the country, as well as some from overseas.
For the uninitiated, Kabaddi is similar to British bulldog ... or a bit like rugby league … but that’s like comparing apples with oranges.
In kabaddi two teams compete at a time, with each occupying its own half of the court.
They take turns sending a "raider" into the opposing team's half and earn points if the raider manages to touch opposing team members and return to the home half, all while taking only a single breath.
However, if the raider is tackled and prevented from returning, the opposing team earns the point.
This advertising feature is supported by the following businesses:
- Gurdwara Singh Sabha Society Griffith
- Chugha Family Farms
- Dom's Motors
- Warburn Estate
- Griffith Newsagency
- Irrigation Specialists
- Blooms the Chemist
- Ray White Griffith
Kabaddi is played by both men and women, although they compete separately.
There are two styles of play in kabaddi - standard and circle.
“Standard” is played internationally with two teams of seven players on a 10x13-metre field in 20-minute halves.
“Circle” style has four forms, including versions where players leave the field once tagged.
The World Kabaddi League follows the Punjabi circle style – which is what is played in Griffith – where players remain on the field for the match as each team accumulates points.
Played on a pitch that is about 22 metres in diameter, matches will run for two 40-minute halves.
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