Sharad Pawar warns against monopoly in pro kabaddi
At the launch of Vinayak Dalvi’s new book Kabadditil Kimayagar (The Magicians of Kabaddi) on Saturday, 12 July 2025, politician Sharadchandra ‘Sharad’ Govindrao Pawar raised concerns about the growing monopolistic control in kabaddi associations.
The event, held at the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre in South Mumbai, served as a platform for Pawar to highlight governance issues in the sport.
‘I hear disturbing reports that certain individuals are trying to monopolise kabaddi associations. In such cases, it is the players who suffer the most’, Pawar stated. He specifically cited the Maharashtra and Mumbai kabaddi associations, saying they now need internal reforms.
‘We must collectively work to take kabaddi to greater heights – state, national, Asian, and even global levels. Let’s not forget that it was kabaddi that brought India a gold medal in Beijing (Asian Games)’, he added.
Why could a monopoly harm kabaddi?
When one group controls a sport, it can prevent progress. Without competition, organisations may lack the incentive to innovate or improve. A diverse, competitive landscape encourages better governance, fairer opportunities for athletes, and sustained growth for kabaddi across all levels.
