How a kabaddi club in India is changing girls' lives

BBC - Jan 28th, 2025
Open on BBC

In the village of Kudoshi, India, Kabaddi has become a transformative force for young girls like 14-year-old Meena, offering them an escape from traditional roles and a path to empowerment. Initiated 15 years ago by a group of teachers determined to provide more opportunities for girls, the all-girls Kabaddi club has grown from just two pupils to around 30 active members today. Despite initial resistance from families concerned about societal norms and marriage prospects, the club has persevered, with some members achieving professional success and financial independence, inspiring others to pursue their dreams and delay traditional expectations.

The significance of this development extends beyond personal achievements; it represents a broader shift in gender roles and societal acceptance in rural India. By excelling in sports, these girls gain not only potential public sector jobs and financial independence but also greater respect and a renewed sense of identity. This initiative highlights the transformative power of sports as a tool for social change, challenging traditional norms and empowering women to dream beyond their conventional roles. As the community becomes more accepting, the Kabaddi club continues to nurture confidence and ambition, setting a precedent for similar efforts across the country.

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RATING

7.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article effectively highlights the transformative power of Kabaddi for rural girls in India, providing an engaging and relatable narrative. It scores high in clarity and readability, making complex social issues accessible to a broad audience. While the story is timely and addresses topics of public interest, it could benefit from more balanced perspectives and additional source quality to enhance its credibility. The potential impact of the article is significant, as it showcases a successful model of empowerment through sports, although the lack of comprehensive data and transparency limits its ability to drive substantial policy changes. Overall, the story is a compelling account of personal and social change, with room for deeper exploration of the broader implications and challenges.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story provides a detailed narrative about the impact of Kabaddi on rural girls in India, with specific examples like Meena's personal journey and the club's history. The factual accuracy is generally high, with the description of Kabaddi aligning with known rules and the portrayal of cultural and social dynamics being plausible. However, certain details, such as the exact founding year of the club or the precise number of girls who have benefited, require verification. The mention of professional players Siddhi Chalke and Samreen Burandkar adds credibility, although their current professional status could be further confirmed.

7
Balance

The article provides a compelling narrative from the perspective of the girls and the coaches, highlighting the positive impact of Kabaddi. However, it could have been more balanced by including perspectives from parents who were initially resistant or from community members who still hold traditional views. While the story focuses on empowerment, it might underrepresent ongoing challenges or criticisms, such as the potential risks involved in sports or the sustainability of such initiatives without external funding.

9
Clarity

The article is well-written, with a clear and engaging narrative that effectively conveys the story of Meena and her peers. The structure is logical, with a coherent flow from the introduction of Kabaddi to the personal stories and broader social implications. The language is accessible, making the story easy to follow for a general audience. However, a brief explanation of Kabaddi's rules at the beginning could help readers unfamiliar with the sport.

6
Source quality

The story relies heavily on anecdotal evidence and interviews with individuals directly involved, like Daji Rajguru and Vilas Bendre. While these sources provide first-hand insights, the lack of external sources or data to corroborate claims about the broader impact of Kabaddi on rural communities limits the overall source quality. Incorporating academic studies or reports on the socio-economic impact of sports in rural India would strengthen the article's credibility.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of methodology, such as how the interviews were conducted or how the featured individuals were selected. There is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence the narrative. Greater transparency about the sources and methods used to gather information would enhance trust and credibility, especially in a story that relies on personal accounts.

Sources

  1. https://www.girlsnotbrides.org/learning-resources/child-marriage-research-action-network/crank-research-tracker/empowerment-of-adolescent-girls-and-gender-based-violence-prevention-through-sports-a-group-work-intervention-in-india/
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av1mr3UpdZk
  3. https://www.sportanddev.org/latest/news/kabaddi-indian-sport-youth-empowerment
  4. https://www.tdh.org/en/projects/kabaddi
  5. https://playerzpot.com/blog/women-in-kabaddi-breaking-barriers-and-shaping-the-future/