Kabaddi as popular as cricket: Cheralathan

Speaking to reporters on the side-lines of the sports day at Rajah Serfoji Government College in Thanjavur, Cheralathan said after the due recognition among the people, the game drew a huge number of youngsters actively participating in the training programmes. “Nowadays, the parents themselves show interest and encourage their children to play kabaddi. During my days, the parents refused to send their children to play kabaddi fearing that they would get hurt but things have changed and even women volunteer to play the game enthusiastically,” felt Cheralathan. 

Stating that kabaddi has become as popular as cricket, Cheralathan said that the game would get a prominent place in India in a couple of years as the funding has not been a problem after the Pro Kabaddi League was introduced and so kabaddi too wouldl get funds on par with cricket in one or two years. “So the youngsters should come forward to be a full kabaddi player,” Cheralathan appealed. Earlier, Cheralathan who spoke among the students said, that he had been playing kabaddi since the age of 15 and participating in national and international level competitions since 1999. He played in the World Cup in 2016 . “Perseverance coupled with confidence will take anyone to the limelight,” he said.