Abdul Jalil, a seasoned Kabaddi coach, has undeniably made significant contributions to the sport, arguably exceeding the achievements of even celebrated cricketers Shakib and Mashrafe. However, he laments the lack of recognition accorded to his efforts. The country currently lacks a modern development initiative specifically for Kabaddi.
Jalil has consistently offered valuable suggestions for reviving the national sport's past glories. The Kabaddi Federation's General Secretary, Habibur Rahman, has offered reassurances in this regard.
Despite being Bangladesh's national game, Kabaddi, a traditional sport, seems to be fading with time. Efforts to restore the sport's former prestige appear limited, with the Bangabandhu Cup, an international tournament held annually for the past four years, being the sole initiative receiving any real attention. This is a historic moment for Bangladesh Kabaddi, as Abdul Jalil, a domestic coach, takes the helm for the first time. Jalil boasts a distinguished past, having served as both captain and coach for the Bangladesh Kabaddi team at the 1995 Madras SAFF Games.
His experience extends to coaching the Bangladesh National Kabaddi Women's Team. While acknowledging the initial pressure associated with the new responsibility, Jalil expressed confidence in his abilities.
Jalil, a former national team raider, voiced his frustrations regarding the lack of recognition bestowed upon Kabaddi compared to cricket or football. He believes his contributions to the nation surpass those of cricket stars Shakib and Mashrafe.
"We lack proper clubs," he remarked. "Therefore, we rely on the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Police to keep the sport alive. The media overlooks us, constantly highlighting Shakib Al Hasan and Mashrafe bin Mortza, despite their achievements not matching ours. We are the only World Cup medallists, and I coached that very team." The General Secretary assured ongoing efforts to preserve the national game.
"Kabaddi is our national sport," he declared. "The Federation is committed to its advancement. Organizing such international tournaments in our country presents a significant challenge. We've successfully hosted this event four times in a row, and this year, we've attracted more sponsors. In the future, we aim to take Kabaddi to the district level to broaden its appeal."
