Kannagi Nagar is a resettlement colony along the dusty and busy Old Mahabalipuram Road. Once regarded as a place for impoverished people with high unemployment and social problems, Kannagi Nagar is now learning to soar on the wings of a new identity owing to the tremendous influence of sports.
Recent strides taken towards sports infrastructure and programming have begun to transform this community from a locality with strife to one bubbling with vigour. Among other things, these initiatives cultivate sporting talent, address social and economic issues, and enhance hope and unity among residents.
The Kannagi Nagar Police Boys and Girls Club
The Kannagi Nagar Police Boys and Girls Club, established in 2011 is as a community initiative supporting the involvement of youth from marginalized backgrounds in constructive activities. “This club is under the police station, and the inspector is in charge, and so am I,” said Tamil Alagan, coach. The club is partnering with HCL Foundation and provides facilities for sports such as kabaddi, football, and cricket. Among the many achievements is the construction of a 39,272 sq ft multi-sports complex, established in October 2022, which contains sporting facilities for gymnastics, rugby, and 100-metre athletic activities, aimed at benefiting children from nearly 1.7 lakh families in the vicinity.
The club has nurtured abundant talent – many girls from Kannagi Nagar are proud members of teams in the Pro Kabaddi League. Tuition classes are also run within the club, and students are improving academically. Other than sports and studies, there is a complete focus on overall development, namely summer camps, computer classes, and training in traditional arts. The programs engage the youth and reduce delinquency while creating a positive relationship between the public and the police.
The Kannagi Nagar Kabaddi Club
Another major initiative is the Kannagi Nagar Kabaddi Club, which boasts an all-girls team. Founded in 2018 by trainer K. Raji, the club has challenged some stereotypes surrounding the resettlement area, empowering its members through sports. As of 2024, six players from the club have represented Tamil Nadu in national competitions, and two have been sent to national camps, also taking home a gold medal in the Chief Minister’s Trophy. The team has steadily increased its prowess in the sport.
The success of the club has played an important role in redefining how Kannagi Nagar is perceived, which normally carries a negative connotation. The team tries to rebrand their locality through kabaddi and is armed with the determination and talent of its residents. Besides sports, the club also focuses on life and personal skills, fostering respect, a sense of discipline, and purpose in young minds. Raji is an English literature graduate, blending life skills education into the training module, enhancing the holistic upbringing of players.
The club is social media savvy, and it actively updates its audience about its activities, achievements, and its endeavours. Their Instagram page depicts their journey and accomplishments. With minimal resources, the team is doing a great job, practicing in public parks without any specialised equipment yet. But they’re excited about building a world-class sports academy in Kannagi Nagar, one that can offer athletes better facilities and opportunities in training.
The Kannagi Nagar Kabaddi Club thus brings to light the fact that sports can change lives because dedication and support from community members can not only beat adversity but also help redefine the way people look at the latter. These young talents are courageously breaking gender norms and societal barriers by competing in a sport that has been traditionally dominated by males. For these girls, kabaddi isn’t just a game – it’s a proclamation of self-empowerment and respect. “I have been playing kabaddi for seven years,” said Abinaya, a member of the Kannagi Nagar Sports Academy.
This is not only a club for developing technical skills but also for confidence building and resilience. By achieving recognition in competitions and from the community, players have become a source of inspiration for young girls to take up sports as a means of expressing their individuality and achieving personal growth.
Impact of Sports on Kannagi Nagar
Kannagi Nagar has a long history of high crime and substance use rates. However, with the involvement of sports programmes, there has been a major turnaround among the youth. “Our club was started to decrease the crime rate of Kannagi Nagar,” said Tamil Alagan. Sporting activities require time, focus, and commitment, and go a long way in preventing youth from falling into bad habits. Many youths involved in the local NGOs report they have shown considerable behavioural change and reduced involvement in illegal activities.
Sports initiatives are not only transforming lives on the field but also off it in Kannagi Nagar. Training programs for coaches, referees, and sports facility managers have opened up job opportunities for the community. The increasing recognition of athletes from Kannagi Nagar is also starting to attract notice from sponsors and recruiters, establishing new avenues toward a career in sports.
Sport has become a game-changer in a community where traditional notions of gender often undermine the chances for women and girls. “People usually think kabaddi is played by boys; if we girls play the game, many other girls will be inspired to play, which will break the stereotype,” said Abinaya. The victories of the all-girls kabaddi team are an indication of women’s potential once provided with opportunities. Their feats break stereotypes and create an impetus for families to encourage their daughters to pursue sports.
As the sports hub has transformed within Kannagi Nagar, it has brought about community pride among the residents. Lively murals of athletes now brighten the area as symbols of inspiration and aspiration. Sports events draw crowds from within and outside of Kannagi Nagar, creating a sense of unity and belongingness.
Source involved:
Members of The Kannagi Nagar Kabaddi Club.
Tamil Alagan, coach in the Kannagi Nagar Police Boys and Girls Club.