By
Randeep Wadehra
Feudalism is alive and kicking in
Punjab. The sixty odd years of socialistic policies and emphasis on
egalitarianism has hardly made a dent on the Punjabi mindset. This thought
assailed one’s mind while watching the Kabaddi World Cup (!!!) on PTC News.
Anchors and invitees missed no chance of singing hymns in praise of the
presiding deity Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was invariably present with his
consort, along with the retinue comprising courtiers and nobility from the
state’s Akali-BJP pantheon. There were film stars and dancers performing in the
improvised durbar, with minions fawning all over him at every available
opportunity. Even the modest kabaddi grounds reminded of the Roman Empire
amphitheatres wherein gladiators fought for the pleasure of the Potentate. It
was not difficult to perceive whether the “World Cup” was held for the benefit
of the aam Punjabi or the state’s ruling elite. Some other stray
thoughts too nagged one’s mind. For example, Sukhbir Badal had often declared
that the intention behind holding the “World Cup” was to fight drug addiction
among Punjabi youth – currently hovering in the region of 65% to 70% as per
government as well as private surveys. But, according to media reports, several
among the participating players were found by WADA and NADA using banned
narcotic substances! Now, what sort of role models would these be for Punjabi
youngsters?
The government’s focus should be
on providing quality education and generating jobs and not indulge in gimmicks.
Sukhbir Badal had entered the portals of power projecting the image of a
progressive youth leader with 21st Century mindset. He was expected
to lead Punjab’s efforts in reclaiming its former position of flag-bearer of
India’s march into the 21st Century. Alas, his kabaddi fixation is not doing that
image any good. Kabaddi used to be a popular rural sport in the days of yore
because it performed a specific utilitarian function. Then Punjabi youth actually
toiled in the fields and needed a robust physique. Therefore, rich diet and
physical culture involving sports like wrestling and kabaddi kept him in shape.
The scenario has changed now. Technology and cheap labour on hire have taken Punjabi
youth off the fields. He is more interested in going abroad or doing a white
collar job or simply ‘enjoying’ a decadent lifestyle. Kabaddi really has no
place in his scheme of things. Despite the hype there were not many young men among
the audiences – the few one espied on the screen were certainly not kabaddi
material by any stretch of imagination. This sport is an anachronism really and
will do nothing to usher a healthy, drugs-free sports culture into the state.
The Punjab government will have to come up with schemes that would actually
encourage the state’s young population to imbibe healthy habits. How about
making a beginning at the school level?
Now, let us have a look at the
rather presumptuous “World Cup” title. The women’s event was more or less a
showcase or “demonstration” addition. The men’s event had more entries; barring
the countries from the Subcontinent all others were “represented” by Punjabi
expatriates. So we had Punjabis from Australia, Spain, UK, Canada etc in the
so-called international teams. Even the “Indian” team was not representative;
although kabaddi is played in different parts of the country and there are
quality players elsewhere too only players from Punjab had been chosen to
represent the country. Wouldn’t it have been more accurate to name the event as
Punjabi Diaspora Cup or, at best, Punjabi Kabaddi Cup? Nobody knows whether the
event had been recognized by the IOC or any other authorized sports body. But
then who cares? If the Deputy CM of Punjab proclaims that it was The
Kabaddi World Cup, well who are we to even think otherwise?
Published in The Tribune dated
26 November 2011
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