New Delhi, August 17 (HS): In a special ceremony at Haryana Bhawan, New Delhi, the Holistic International Pravasi Sports Association (HIPSA) formally presented Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini with the Guinness World Record certificate recognizing Kabaddi’s remarkable global achievement.

The record, achieved on March 24 last year in Panchkula, was conferred for the largest-ever participation in a Kabaddi exhibition match, setting a new international benchmark for the traditional Indian sport. On the occasion of World Kabaddi Day, 128 players came together in Panchkula to script history, further reinforcing Haryana’s reputation as Kabaddi’s stronghold.

The certificate was handed over to the Chief Minister by HIPSA President Kanthi D. Suresh and Global Indian Pravasi Kabaddi League (GI-PKL) founder Kartik Dammu. The event highlighted the widespread enthusiasm among athletes, youth, and sports aficionados who witnessed the historic sporting milestone.

Reflecting Haryana’s commitment to athletic excellence, Chief Minister Saini recently inaugurated the 6th State-Level Sports Mahakumbh at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula by launching a Kabaddi match. On the occasion, he reiterated his vision of nurturing grassroots talent, with a mission to produce at least one international-level athlete from every village in Haryana. Expressing optimism about India’s sporting future, he stated that Haryana athletes will play a leading role in securing maximum medals for the country in the 2036 Olympics.

HIPSA, which has been at the forefront of promoting Indian sports globally, continues to expand Kabaddi’s international footprint. Earlier this year, in April, the association successfully organized the Global Indian Pravasi Kabaddi League (GI-PKL), drawing participants from Europe, Africa, and Asia, and uniting the Indian diaspora through the spirit of Kabaddi.

The Guinness recognition not only honors Haryana’s contribution to preserving and promoting the sport but also underscores Kabaddi’s growing influence across global sporting platforms.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar