Fri Jan 24 19:34:21 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu Kabaddi Team Involved in Punjab Scuffle; Coach Briefly Detained
**CHENNNAI, January 25, 2025** – A minor dispute during a kabaddi match in Punjab led to a major incident involving a team of 36 women players from Tamil Nadu. The scuffle, which occurred Friday during an inter-university event in Bhatinda district, involved players from Mother Teresa Women’s University, Periyar University, and Alagappa University, and their counterparts from a university in Dharbanga, Bihar.
The disagreement, according to Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, stemmed from a “minor issue” related to the match’s scoring system. While no serious injuries were reported, a coach from the Tamil Nadu team was briefly detained by police. Following intervention from Tamil Nadu government officials, the coach was released, and the team proceeded to New Delhi en route back to Tamil Nadu.
Mr. Stalin, who also holds the Youth Welfare and Sports Development portfolio, assured that all players are safe and accounted for. He confirmed that the Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, directed immediate action upon learning of the incident. The Tamil Nadu government and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu worked with local authorities in Punjab to ensure the students’ safety.
The incident drew criticism from opposition leaders. BJP leader and former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan and TMC(Moopanar) president G.K. Vasan both condemned the events and called for stronger measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Dr. Soundararajan urged the state government to provide full support to the players, while Mr. Vasan appealed to both the state and central governments to prioritize the safety of athletes.
First Piper 