Argentina learning to embrace kabaddi and 'how it's played 'without a ball?'

'Where's the ball?' -- it's a common question faced by the promoters of kabaddi in Argentina which is slowly embracing the sport.

The country of Maradona and Messi got a taste of kabaddi in late 1990s when Ricardo Acuna, who is now the president of the Argentina Kabaddi Federation, brought it the Latin American country after learning the sport while in Quebec in Canada which has a lot of Indian influence.

Having debuted in the 2016 World Cup in Ahmedabad, Argentina will make their only second International appearance when they compete against the likes of heavyweights India, Iran, Korea, Pakistan and Kenya in the six-nation Kabaddi Masters Dubai.

The game now has emerged as an "alternative sport" in Argentina and they are looking for sponsors as country's top raider Federico Gramajo says it's a beautiful game that requires a lot of skill, technique, agility much like rugby.

"But it is played without a ball... Countless times we face this questions from the people of Argentina. The YouTube has come in handy to explain nowadays," the 30-year-old Gramajo told PTI.

Country's experienced defender Jorge Berraja, who featured in the 2016 World Cup, said Argentina is a big country and they are trying their best to take the sport to places.

"Our participation in the World Cup has brought the sport to notice as it was broadcast on television and now a couple of more channels also show Pro Kabaddi."