Kabaddi has a bright future in India, claims Padma Shri awardee Ajay Thakur

Indian Kabaddi team captain, Ajay Thakur, created history as he became the first Kabaddi player in the history of the sport to be bestowed with the prestigious Padma Shri award. The veteran star and national went on to suggest that the 'desi' sport will be the most popular game in the country within a decade.

"Winning the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup for my country was the best moment for me. Moreover, I was the top scorer (68 raid points) in that tournament so the joy was doubled. However, losing at the Asian Games last year was the low point of my career, as it happened under my captaincy and we had to settle for bronze. With kabaddi being a complete Indian game and if such mishappenings take place, it hurts," Thakur added.

"If the PKL wasn't there, kabaddi wouldn't have reached such heights. Just see how this rural Indian game has expanded in such a short span of time. This league has helped the game grow not only in India but also in other countries. 

"A game's popularity depends on how many countries play it. Earlier, just India used to play it and win every time and that wasn't a big thing. Because of PKL, kabaddi has crossed boundaries and the competition level has increased," Thakur concluded.