Fazel Atrachali became the arch-villain for Indian kabaddi fanatics’ final year. He led his group, Iran, to an upset victory over the favorites, India, in the semi-final of the Asian Games kabaddi event. After winning the gold in Jakarta, Fazel is now the main U Mumba in Pro Kabaddi League season 7. In an extraordinary interview with International Business Times, India, the veteran defender discusses the repercussions of the Asian Games victory, the challenges of leadership, and the future of kabaddi in Iran. Last 12 months, the Iranian team, led by you, received the Asian Games gold. The semi-final in opposition to India became quite a nerve-racking match where tempers flared on both sides. Are the players from the two international locations again on top phrases?
Fazel: Well, that turned into handiest a forty-minute in shape. During the game, from time to time, we can also have fights. For example, whilst the raider is going for a kick, and accidentally hits the defender. But that is only in shape. We are specialists, and we understand that that is the game of kabaddi, and we are simply doing our job. We ought to do our process. Outside of the match, we are very friendly.
After the Asian Games fit additionally, while a few Indian gamers were crying and the crew turned very disenchanted, I went to them. I instructed them now not to be too sad as prevailing and dropping takes place in Kabaddi. It’s k. In the Asian Games, we had been friends with each other. People could have been angry with us but no longer gamers. On the mat, there were a few discontents with the referee’s selections.
Fazel: No, that is okay. This is something that happens in Pro Kabaddi, additionally.
What was the reaction in Iran after that victory of yours? Did you get a variety of insurance in the media?
Fazel: Yes. When you win a gold medal, your sport becomes greater well-known in the country. My people were happy that we’d won the gold. Since that point, kabaddi has grown to be even more well-known. Now, plenty more children are taking to kabaddi because of that fulfillment of ours.
As a captain in PKL, do you every so often face difficulty in speaking with players of your team because of the language barrier?
Fazel: No, because here in India, players from distinct areas have a problem communicating with each other. Often, they cannot talk to each other differently because someone from Tamil Nadu, someone from Haryana, can be a speaker of the Marathi language, and a person else from Telugu.
They can not talk to everyone differently. So, I am one among them. It is straightforward to talk during the suit because there are plenty of words in Hindi and Persian. For example, nazdeek (near), door (ways), jaldi nahi (don’t hurry), and different such. Also, I realize a touch of Hindi, and I speak to them like this.
You frequently tell your raiders what to do in your matches before they pass into the competition half of. Is this something you have been doing for the long term?
Fazel: Yes, this is my duty as I am the captain, and I must tell them what the plan is. For instance, I inform them, “Come lower back. Just spend 30 2d within the competition half of and are available returned.” Sometimes, I am searching on the defenders on the alternative facet, and I see that a sure participant, say, the left cowl is not appropriate enough. So, I tell them to go to the left side.
Sometimes, the left corner is out, so I informed them to visit the left aspect and attempt that. That’s how it is. Because with new and young players, I experience I should advocate for them. When you have a senior raider like Anup Kumar, you do not need to tell him what to do. But with younger gamers, you need to inform and guide them.
