Kabaddi is a contact team sport whose origination is not traceable. It is popular in South Asia and is the state game of the Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Punjab and Telangana. Kabaddi is played between two teams of seven players; the object of the game is for a single player on offence—referred to as a "raider"—to run into the opposing team's half of a court, tag out as many of their defenders as possible, and return to their own half of the court—all without being tackled by the defenders.

The game is known by its regional names in different parts of the subcontinent, such as Kabaddi or Chedugudu in Andhra Pradesh, Kabaddi in Kerala and Telangana, Hadudu in Bangladesh, Bhavatik in Maldives, Kauddi or Kabaddi in the Punjab region, Hu-Tu-Tu in Western India and Hu-Do-Do in Eastern India and chadakudu in South India.

Kabaddi, originated in ancient Tamil region, which is predominantly present day Tamil Nadu and parts of other South Indian states. Tamil empire spread this game to South East Asia during their sea trade. The word Kabaddi might have been derived from the Tamil word "kai-pidi" meaning "to hold hands".