This is how Asian Games postponement could affect Kabaddi players

New players could have a negative effect on their mindset due to the postponement.

The 2022 Asian Games set to take place in the Chinese city of Hangzhou have been postponed. This is due to the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country. The outbreak of coronavirus cases has led to the zero-covid policy to take effect in the country which has led to the postponement of the multi-sport event. 

Asian Games were supposed to start from 10 September onwards and a probable list of 24 players for kabaddi was released for the same. Several good performers from season eight of the Pro Kabaddi League made the list. There was a good mixture of experience and youth in the squad. However, the news of the postponement has brought a halt to the aspirations of particularly the young players.

Let’s take a look at how the postponement of the Asian Games could affect the players:

Asian Games will take place after the upcoming PKL season

The multi-sport event was scheduled to take place in September. But, after the postponement, it will likely take place after the next PKL season. There is a major possibility that the ninth season of the Pro Kabaddi League could take place before the alternate Asian Games inauguration date. 

This could result in several changes to the Indian kabaddi squad for the event. The current squad will likely see several additions and removals.

There will likely be a new probables list

Due to the postponement, and possibility of organisation of the Asian Games after the ninth season of PKL, there will be a new probables list for the Indian team. The players that made the cut presently could lose their spot in the future. 

Similarly, new faces could come into the fold. As a result, the new PKL season becomes vital for the players that are looking to retain their place as possible candidates. This postponement of the Asian Games gives players that missed out on making the probables list another shot at it. 

Players like Rahul Chaudhari could make a return

Several high-profile players like Rahul Chaudhari will get another chance of making it into the probables list. Figures like Rahul Chaudhari, Manjeet and Saurabh Nandal, who are big names in kabaddi did not get considered for a place in the Indian team. This is because their performance in the past season was not satisfactory. 

However, they will hope to grab hold of the golden opportunity now. If these players perform well in the upcoming PKL season, then it will help them make the Indian probables list for the Asian Games. 

New players could have their dreams shattered

The probables list for the Asian Games had several names that impressed in the eighth season of the PKL. Among those were new faces that took the league by storm with their performances. Players like Aslam Inamdar, Jaideep, Mohit Goyat, Arjun Deshwal, Naveen Kumar, Vijay, Vishal Bhardwaj and Sachin made the cut. 

But, since there could be a new probables list, some of these players could lose their spot. This will be a huge blow to their aspirations of representing the country on the international stage. There will be immense pressure on the shoulders of these young players to continue to impress and keep their place on the probables list. 

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