‘India, Poland Connected By Kabaddi’, Says PM Narendra Modi In Keynote Address

New Delhi: Since its inception in 2014 by Mashal Sports, the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has significantly boosted the sport’s global appeal. Kabaddi, once a traditional Indian game, has now attracted international players and gained prominence worldwide. This burgeoning popularity was recently underscored by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Poland, where he highlighted the game’s expanding global footprint.

In his keynote address celebrating the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Poland, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the cultural connection through kabaddi. “We are connected through the game of kabaddi. This game reached Poland through India and they took it to great heights. Poland is going to host the Kabaddi Championship for the first time. I want to wish good luck to their team,” Modi said.

PM Modi’s remarks came alongside his meeting with the captains of Poland’s men’s and women’s kabaddi teams. The Polish men’s national team made headlines at the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup in Ahmedabad, where they achieved a notable victory over the then-World Champions, Iran, in a group stage match.

The Pro Kabaddi League has seen players from Poland make their mark in Indian kabaddi. Michal Spickzo, a Polish defender, became the first European player to participate in the PKL when he joined the Bengaluru Bulls in 2015, returning for the 2016 season. More recently, Piotr Pamulak followed in Spickzo’s footsteps, being drafted by the Bengaluru Bulls during the 2023 player auction.

The sport’s growth is further evidenced by the Pro Kabaddi League’s latest auction, where eight players surpassed the INR 1 crore mark—a new record in PKL history. This milestone reflects the increasing commercial and competitive significance of kabaddi on the global stage.

As kabaddi continues to gain international recognition, the upcoming Kabaddi Championship in Poland marks a significant step in the sport’s evolution, showcasing its growing influence beyond its Indian origins.