India's defeat reflects Kabaddi's globalisation: Coach Reddy

Twin defeats at the hands of Iran in the 18th Asian Games will rankle India for a long time but it also reflects that Kabaddi has truly become a global sport, says women's team coach L Srinivas Reddy.

Traditional powerhouse India returned without a gold in kabaddi for the first time in the history of the Games after Iran shocked their women's team 24-27 in the final today to join their male counterparts in walking away with the top honours.

The Indian men's team had lost 18-27 to Iran in the semifinals yesterday.

Reddy said India cannot take its medal for granted now as the rivals are watching the game keenly.

"Yes, the defeat hurts because we had come with an aim to create a hat-trick. The game has been globalized. Other teams will also fancy their chances now. It is becoming an Olympic sport," he said.

"Chinese Taipei started playing the game only in 2014 now they are podium finishers, that means the game is growing at a great speed. It's a win for Kabaddi."
"The exposure through Leagues has helped foreign players. There was always the uncertainty factor but with players playing consistently with each other, that factor is no more there. The phobia is over, players are friends with each other. They are watching the game keenly and we have to work harder now. We can't take things for granted."
Analysing the defeat, Reddy said, "The defence faltered and raiders also could not perform at crunch moments. Silver does not give us satisfaction, we always play for gold."
"A lot of India coaches have gone there but it's years of hard work that is paying off. No coach has magic wand to transform a team in six months. She has got credit because it happened under her tenure."
"When we became world champions no one gave us coverage but now that we have lost, everyone is talking about this defeat. The media would give just 2 paras earlier, but now men's team last, the coverage was huge."