National Pastimes: Immigrants Bring Kabaddi To Queens Fields

This game is 4,000 years old in Asia and is coming to some parts of this country by immigrants.   - - Donna Poisl

By: Ruschell Boone

Many immigrants spend their pastime playing cultural sports most Americans know nothing or very little about. They're popular in Queens, the borough known for its diversity. One little-known Indian sport spans thousands of years.

It looks like a good old-fashioned game of tag. But this is no traditional American game. It's Kabaddi, a mix of rugby, tag and wrestling. It's a favorite among Punjabi immigrants who play at Victory Field.

"We have a lot of fun playing this," said player Sembeep Singh. "That's our cultural game."

The 4,000-year-old game is wildly popular in Asia and it has a huge following in the Queens Indian community. Every summer, you see players from the New York Sports Kabaddi Club practicing in Ozone Park.
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