The Indian Kabaddi scene is reaching new heights as Season 11 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is set to start on 18th October 2024. What began as a platform for Indian players has transformed into a global sport, attracting athletes from across the world. We’ve seen participation from foreign athletes who hail from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iran, and Korea. However, there’s one country where Kabaddi is still a mystery, but an athlete who learnt the sport from YouTube has earned his way to the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) in India. Chia-Ming Chang, a raider from Taiwan, is all set to take part in the Pro Kabaddi League for the second consecutive season, representing the Bengal Warriors.
In a recent interview with InsideSport, the raider shared his story and journey ahead of Pro Kabaddi Season 11.
Learning Kabaddi from YouTube
At the start of the interview, Chia-Ming was nervous and requested to speak slowly in English, as he wasn’t very familiar with the language. He speaks Mandarin, with English being his second language. He began by sharing how he discovered Kabaddi, a sport virtually unknown in Taiwan. “I first saw Kabaddi during junior high school on YouTube,” Chia-Ming said, “and I found it really interesting.” For a country without a Kabaddi culture, this was an unusual way to learn the sport, but it sparked a passion in the young athlete.
When asked if people in Taiwan know about Kabaddi, Chia-Ming said, “Not many people know about it, but now some junior players are starting to play competitively.” The growth is slow but promising, with more players showing interest in competitive Kabaddi over the past decade. As one of the few athletes from Taiwan playing Kabaddi professionally, Chia-Ming sees a bright future for the sport in his country. “With more international matches and training, Kabaddi will grow stronger in Taiwan,” he said.
How Chia-Ming paved his way to Pro Kabaddi League
Chia-Ming didn’t just play Kabaddi for fun. He was inspired by the teamwork and communication required in the game. “I love the feeling of winning matches together,” he explained. This passion turned into a serious pursuit, and Chia-Ming began to train rigorously, eventually catching the attention of the Kabaddi Federation in Chinese Taipei, which helped him make the leap to the Pro Kabaddi League in India.
Language barriers can be a challenge, but Chia-Ming manages to communicate with his Indian teammates in the PKL. “I speak English with some, and if I don’t understand something, I ask my manager, who helps with communication,” he shared, highlighting the importance of teamwork both on and off the mat.
Wrestler turned Kabaddi player, teaching in High School
Interestingly, Chia-Ming balances his Kabaddi career with his role as a physical education teacher at a Junior High School in Taiwan. He occasionally teaches Kabaddi to his students, helping to spread awareness of the sport in his home country.
Before taking up Kabaddi, Chia-Ming was a wrestler. This background in wrestling gave him a solid foundation in physical strength and strategy, which he has successfully applied to his Kabaddi game.
Expectations from Pro Kabaddi League
As Chia-Ming gears up for Season 11, his expectations are clear: “I want to play more matches and improve my techniques.” After playing just one match in the previous season, the raider spent his offseason training intensively in Taiwan to sharpen his skills and return stronger this year. Looking ahead, Chia-Ming’s short-term goal is to play more matches and score points in PKL Season 11. Long-term, he has his eyes set on the 2026 Asian Games, where he hopes to make a significant impact.
