The Popularity of Kabaddi and the Fading Away of Hockey

The Indian sports fan today is spoilt for choice. From the Indian Super League (ISL) to the English Premier League (EPL), Pro Kabaddi to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Indians can watch a wide range of domestic and international sports. The last decade has noticed the birth of 16 new sports leagues in India. The most dominating one among all is the Indian Premier League (IPL). Kabaddi became the second-most watched sport and since the launch of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) in 2014, this sport has entered the cultural mainstream.

 Kabaddi’s renewal is also confirmed by another aspect: Google Trends. Google Trends data has captured search interest in various topics, and India’s search data, given the rapidly rising internet penetration, is a particularly strong tool to quantify the nation’s interests.

 Average search interest over the past decade showcased that cricket has significantly increased interest in football, tennis, badminton, and kabaddi. However, removing cricket, football is the second-most searched sport but nowadays kabaddi is speeding up. Ten years ago, kabaddi did not come in the radar of Indian internet users. With the PKL, interest in kabaddi has increased with every season and even occasionally overtaken interest in football too. Google Trends also confirms the decreasing popularity of hockey.

 While PKL may have more viewers, the league is searched less than Indian Super League, its football equivalent. ISL enjoys marginally more interest than the PKL among the non-cricket new-age leagues. This is a reflection of football’s popularity in India.

 Over the last five decades, search interest in football has remained consistent. Other sources suggest that Indian interest in football could be rising. Football interest in India increased from 30% to 45% between 2013 and 2017 according to a Nielsen survey. More than the Indian Super League within football, Indians love the English Premier League. Searches for the Premier League over the last five years have surpassed all other football leagues. Among the major European football clubs and, despite their struggles on the pitch over the last five years, Manchester United is the most famous. All this interest in football and kabaddi pale in comparison with the interest in cricket. Search interest over the last five years in cricket has increased football interest on Google by nearly eight-fold in India. But, Indians do not seem to be the most cricket-obsessed country.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://www.livemint.com/sports/news/the-rise-of-kabaddi-and-the-demise-of-hockey-1549475366081.html