Odisha village’s Kabaddi glory overshadowed by ‘illegal encroachment’ woes

A small village in Odisha’s Nuapada district is quietly carving out a big name in the world of Kabaddi. Hatisara, though modest in size and resources, has earned recognition at the national level with six of its players having represented the state and country in prestigious Kabaddi tournaments.

Despite having no formal sports infrastructure, the youth of Hatisara continue to train rigorously every day — morning and evening — on a piece of government land located at the village entrance. The ground, though unofficial and ill-equipped, has become a lifeline for budding athletes.

Of the six national-level players, three have competed in the senior category while three others have played at the junior national level, bringing pride and identity to their village through sheer hard work and determination.

“We are facing a lot of difficulties in our practice. There is no ground for our practice. The playground has been illegally encroached,” alleged Baikuntha Majhi, a junior national player.

However, the lack of basic facilities is a growing concern. The village does not have a dedicated playground or any official support structure for sports. The land currently used for practice is under threat, with reports of encroachment surfacing from multiple sides. 

Locals allege that some people have started cultivating crops, storing sand, or even setting up brick kilns on the field, hampering daily practice sessions.

Athletes have urged the Odisha government to intervene and reclaim the government land being used for practice. They believe that with proper protection and the development of basic sports facilities, Hatisara could become a major center for Kabaddi in the region.

“Our village has managed to crave its name nationally for the game. We have been organising various games to encourage athletes. But few people are illegally encroaching the ground,” alleged Harish Kumar Ahir, Kabaddi union district president.

Ranjit Sunani, sarpanch of Darlipada panchayat said, “Our children from Hatisara village are scripting success with their games. However, some farmers are illegally carrying out farming activities on the field. We request the district administration to take necessary action.”