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Kabaddi tournament showcases traditional Indian sport in Mildura

The inaugural Mildura Kabaddi Cup attracted interstate competitors. (ABC Mildura-Swan Hill: Tamara Clark)

Hundreds of players and spectators have travelled from across Australia to north-west Victoria to compete in a traditional Indian sport and volleyball.

The sport of kabaddi features seven players on each side and is played in a circle, with the primary goal to gain points by invading the opponent's court and touching as many defenders as possible without being caught.

Punters fought for their chance at the $25,000 prize kitty, with the Young Kabaddi Club from Melbourne winning the tournament.

The offensive player is known as the "raider" while the defenders are called "antis".

If the raider touches the antis during the attack and returns to the home court without being caught the antis are declared out.

Play can resume for a team only when they score points during their raiding turn or if their remaining players catch the opponent's raider.

Players and spectators celebrate the traditional sport at the Mildura Sporting Precinct. (Tamara Clark: ABC Mildura-Swan Hill)

Event organiser Harvinder Singh said the north Indian sport mixed wrestling and rugby, and was organised to promote India's traditional sport and culture.

"I wanted to bring kabaddi to Mildura and showcase its unique gameplay and cultural significance," Mr Singh said.

It had been played in various forms since prehistoric times, with the modern version becoming popular throughout India and parts of south Asia in the 1930s.

The traditional Indian sport attracts players from a range of nationalities. (ABC Mildura-Swan Hill: Tamara Clark)

Mixed sports

Hosted at the weekend by the Shaheed Udham Singh Sports Club Mildura, the kabaddi tournament ran alongside other sports and activities, including volleyball and kids' athletics.

Meherbaan Virk and Berry Singh, who represented the Punjab Hawks Sydney, said they were determined to win the volleyball part of the tournament.

But they were bested by Majha Volleyball Club.

The Adelaide Skiers came third and Royal Kings from Melbourne were fourth.

Meherbaan Virk and Berry Singh from Sydney play to win. (ABC Mildura-Swan Hill: Tamara Clark)

"You have to be really fit. We go to the gym," Mr Singh said.

Mr Virk said it was special to see so much diversity in the kabaddi tournament with what was originally an Indian game. 

He said there were competitors from at least seven different nationalities.

"The energy and vibes are great, and these are energetic sports," he said.

"We've been playing for a long time and we just love it."

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