Gopichand Highlights Similarities Between Kabaddi and Badminton at PKL Opener

At the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 opener, Pullela Gopichand compared kabaddi and badminton, stressing shared demands of agility, reflexes, and tactical play. Celebrated on National Sports Day, the event featured icons like Dhanraj Pillay, Yogesh Kathuniya, and Pardeep Narwal, who underlined sport’s role in discipline, resilience, and uniting India’s competitive spirit.

When the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 began on National Sports Day in New Delhi, it turned into more than just the opening of a tournament, becoming a celebration of India’s sporting spirit. Indian badminton legend Pullela Gopichand, present at the event, drew fascinating parallels between kabaddi and badminton, pointing out how both sports rely on agility, quick reflexes, strong legs, core strength, and the ability to anticipate an opponent’s moves.

He compared a kabaddi raid to returning a smash in badminton, describing both as tactical actions that require instant execution and recovery. Gopichand highlighted kabaddi’s thrilling pace, calling it a game where “blink and you’ll miss something,” praising its energy and entertainment value. The occasion also saw sporting icons like hockey great Dhanraj Pillay, Paralympic medallist Yogesh Kathuniya, kabaddi star Pardeep Narwal, and cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi come together in tribute to Indian athletics.

Pillay underlined the importance of playing sports from a young age, recalling his own experiences and friendships with kabaddi players like Ashok Shinde. Kathuniya spoke about the sport's transformative power, stressing how kabaddi’s unpredictability makes it especially exciting. The evening reinforced that sport, whether kabaddi, badminton, hockey, or cricket, continues to inspire, connect people, and showcase India’s competitive edge across disciplines.