CREATING AWARENESS OF NEW MEDAL SPORTS

S'pore's kabaddi and woodball teams are targeting more than medals in Thailand

- Melvyn Teoh

First there was joy, when Singapore men's captain Vishva Deva learnt that kabaddi would be making its debut at the SEA Games in Thailand.

But the 25-year-old acknowledged that there is also pressure for the 30-strong squad comprising the men and women's teams to do well.

A contact team sport that originated in India, kabaddi is usually played between two teams of seven, although the 2025 Games will also feature teams of three or five players.

The objective of the sport is for attackers called raiders to tag as many defenders as possible and eliminate them to score points for their team, all to be done in a single breath while chanting "kabaddi".

Defenders can also catch a raider and secure a point themselves, with each team alternating between attacking and defending.

Vishva Deva said: "Definitely a great honour. It's not every day that you get to lead the whole team for the country, but that being said, the responsibilities on your shoulders are pretty high also. This is the first time the sport is being introduced and the first time Singapore is sending a team.