Maharashtra state kabaddi championship opens in Virar amid Rs 59 lakh row

The 53rd State-Level Kabaddi Championship began at the MHADA ground in Bolinj, Virar West, on Thursday, 8 October, bringing nearly 800 players from 50 teams representing 25 districts of Maharashtra to Palghar district for four days of competition. The event runs until Sunday, 11 October. Away from the mats, it has also set off a political dispute over Rs 59 lakh in municipal funding and the way its opening ceremony was organised.

Thirty matches on day one across six courts

The championship is being staged in a large pavilion put up at the MHADA ground, and the organisers have laid out six specially prepared courts, with every match played on mats. Running six courts side by side allowed a heavy opening card: 30 matches were played on the first day alone.

The Free Press Journal reported that the championship had created a vibrant sporting atmosphere in Virar, with the competition opening to considerable enthusiasm. For a state-level event, the scale is significant, with teams drawn from 25 districts across Maharashtra and close to 800 players registered over the four days.

Familiar kabaddi names at the opening

The tournament drew several well-known figures from Maharashtra kabaddi. Arjuna Awardee Shantaram Jadhav and Chhatrapati Awardee Nitin Madne were in attendance, along with Pro Kabaddi player Rishank Devadiga. Prominent women players Gautami Raut, Snehal Salunkhe and Sayali Tirpalle were also present.

The inauguration itself was attended by former MLA Kshitij Thakur, former Mayor Pravina Thakur, Mayor Rajiv Patil, Deputy Mayor Marshal Lopes, Standing Committee Chairman Pravin Shetty, House Leader Prafulla Sane and Palghar District Kabaddi Association Vice President Manikrao Dutonde.

BJP objects to civic spending and late invitations

That guest list is at the centre of the row. The event has been allocated Rs 59 lakh in municipal funds, and opposition leader Manoj Patil and BJP MLA from Nalasopara Rajan Naik expressed strong resentment over how it was handled.

Their complaint is that although the municipal corporation paid for the championship, the Kabaddi Association printed its own separate invitation cards, and the event was inaugurated solely by leaders of the Bahujan Vikas Aaghadi (BVA).

The timing of those invitations added to the anger. According to the report, the cards were delivered to BJP offices at 5:10 PM, ten minutes after the 5:00 PM start of the opening programme. The BJP protested strongly against the administration and questioned the timing and the protocol the organisers had followed.

No response from the Palghar District Kabaddi Association or the civic administration to the allegations was reported.

The championship continues at the MHADA ground in Bolinj, with the final day of competition scheduled for Sunday, 11 October.