'Urge govt to confer Dronacharya Award upon my coach...': Pawan Sehrawat
Asian Games gold medalist Pawan Sehrawat calls for Randhir Sehrawat to receive the Dronacharya Award after India's dominant kabaddi performance.
Indian kabaddi sensation Pawan Sehrawat has made a powerful plea to the central government, requesting that his coach, Randhir Sehrawat, be honored with the prestigious Dronacharya Award following India's spectacular performance at the Asian Games.
India's Kabaddi Dominance Continues
The Indian kabaddi teams arrived at Delhi airport on Sunday, returning home as champions after successfully defending their titles. Both the men's and women's squads displayed overwhelming strength, outclassing Iran in their respective gold medal matches to cement India's status as a global powerhouse in the sport.
Speaking about the victory, Pawan Sehrawat—who also served as India's male flag-bearer during the Asian Games opening ceremony—expressed his immense pride. "I want to thank the entire nation for supporting kabaddi. I got goosebumps hearing the national anthem play," he stated.
A One-Sided Battle Against Iran
Reflecting on the intense final matches, the Tamil Thalaivas star noted that the contest against Iran felt largely one-sided. While there was a brief moment of competitiveness during the half-time interval, India's superiority was evident throughout the game.
"The match against Iran felt like a one-sided affair. No one will be able to defeat us in the coming years; Iran will need time to prepare," Sehrawat remarked, emphasizing the gap between India and its closest rivals.
The victory margins were tight but decisive:
- Men's Team: Secured a 40-34 victory over Iran.
- Women's Team: Edged out Iran with a 37-34 win to defend their title.
The Case for Coach Randhir Sehrawat
The star player's call for recognition extends to the mastermind behind the team's success. Pawan Sehrawat urged the government to confer the Dronacharya Award upon his coach, Randhir Sehrawat, who is widely recognized for his tactical brilliance and is currently associated with the Gujarat Giants in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL).
A Legacy of Gold
India's journey in Asian Games kabaddi is one of unparalleled success. Since men's kabaddi was introduced in 1990, India has secured gold in nine out of ten editions, with the only exception being a bronze in 2018. In the women's category, introduced in 2010, India has consistently stood on the podium with four golds and one silver.
With a staggering total of 15 medals (13 golds, 1 silver, and 1 bronze), India remains the most successful kabaddi nation in the history of the Asian Games, leaving Iran—the second most successful team—significantly behind.