Kabaddi looking set for summer showcase in Melbourne under bid to strengthen India, Victoria ties

One of India’s most popular sports looks set to be showcased in Melbourne’s sporting precinct around the same time as the Boxing Day test, with a major name rumoured to be organising the event.

Kabaddi could be heading to Melbourne’s sporting precinct around the same time as the Boxing Day test. Picture: Tim Carrafa

One of India’s most popular sports, Kabaddi, looks set to be showcased in Melbourne at the end of the year to coincide with the Boxing Day test.

Australia will take on India in the cricket test at the MCG, with a Kabaddi fixture in Melbourne around the same time is on the cards.

The contact sport of kabaddi is described as a cross between rugby and wrestling. Picture: Tom Huntley

It is understood an appropriate playing venue is being sought near the MCG precinct.

Premier Jacinta Allan announced in Delhi in mid September that the Victorian government would partner with the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) of India to bring an exhibition match to Melbourne to further develop sporting, cultural, tourism and economic ties between Victoria and India.

Premier of Victoria Jacinta Allan plays cricket at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi India to sell the state as a key tousim destination. Picture: Jai Narula

At the time of the announcement, the time frame for the game being held in Melbourne was 18 months, but sources say the end of the year is looking more likely.

It is believed the highly respected Lewis Martin, former Channel 7 head of sport and managing director of Seven Melbourne, is working behind the scenes on the Kabaddi showcase.

Martin, who worked across the Olympics, the AFL, cricket, horse racing and major Melbourne events and partnerships during his time at Seven, stepped down from the Visit Victoria board on September 13.

Kabaddi is a mix of rugby and wrestling and is a fast-paced, high-intensity contact sport. Picture: Ian Currie

Kabaddi is a mix of rugby and wrestling and is a fast-paced, high-intensity contact sport, featuring two teams of seven battling for points.

It is the second most actively followed sport in India behind cricket and has attracted a celebrity following with Bollywood stars such as Abhishek Bachchan and Akshay Kumar owning teams and leading business identities including Radha Kapoor, Gautam Adani and Rajesh V Shah also owning teams in the Pro Kabaddi League.

The Pro Kabaddi League launched in India in 2014 and attracts nearly 300 million viewers in India alone.