Now ranked fifth in Asia, national kabaddi team seeks funds, better training for medals target in 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 — From almost missing their flights to Hangzhou due to cash shortage, the Malaysian kabaddi team defied all odds to make their mark at the 2023 Asian Games.
In Hangzhou, the underdogs came against 2018 Asian Games kabaddi champions, Iran as well, as with the 2018 silver and bronze medallists, South Korea and Pakistan.
Despite the tough grouping, the Malaysian team fought on undeterred to defeat South Korea (40-38) and finished fifth in the Games.
Malaysian kabaddi team’s assistant coach Arul Prakash Balakrishnan said the national team has also qualified for next year’s Kabaddi World Cup.
“The kabbadi team is not part of the Podium Programme. So, we only had enough funds to train for three months before the tournament.
“On our own, we also collected over RM250,000 through goodwill donations to cover our training and other expenses, in addition to the RM80,000 provided by the National Sports Council.
The Malaysian kabaddi team with their manager Padmanathan Engaittaraman (second, left), assistant coach Arul Prakash Balakrishnan (third, left) and coach Palaniandy Muniandy (fourth, left). — Picture courtesy of Olympic Council of Malaysia
“But, that came with some challenges. Some of our potential sponsors did not reply in time while some backed out at the last minute,” he told Malay Mail.
Arul said the national team’s best performance and greatest challenge in the Games started in their face-off with South Korea.
“We were lagging behind South Korea by nine points in the first half but eventually, we got ahead and finished 40-38.
“Two of our main players suffered from Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries and one broke his nose in the match.
“This affected our performance in the following games with Iran and Pakistan,” Arul said.
Kabaddi, a team contact game that originated from India, became a medal sport in the 1990 Asian Games.
The Malaysian kabaddi team has represented the country in the Asian Games since 2010.
Arul said the team is rooting for medals in next year’s Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Thailand and in the Kabaddi World Cup in Pakistan.
“With sufficient funds and a solid training programme, we too can bring home medals,” he said.
