Bhakti Chalak

With just two minutes left in the Kabaddi final of the recently concluded Asian Games in Japan, India was up against Iran. The score stood at 37-30. The match looked like it could swing either way.

At that very moment, a player stepped up for a raid, took a calculated risk, and scored two crucial points. The tension eased slightly, and India eventually won the gold medal with a 39-33 margin. That player was Aslam Inamdar, who soon became a household name across India.

Aslam hails from Taklibhan, a small village in Ahilyanagar. At the age of fourteen, he started playing local prize-money kabaddi matches. His elder brother used to play for a club. When stepping out, Aslam noticed that people spoke of his brother with great respect because of kabaddi.

Aslam Inamdar celebrating his victory

Seeing that recognition, he felt inspired to make a name for himself in the sport as well. Around 2009-10, he began regular practice, and kabaddi gradually turned into a deep passion for him.

Days of Struggle

Amidst this, his father passed away in 2011. There were five siblings at home. They had no house of their own, no agricultural land, and no source of income. The responsibility of the entire family fell on his mother's shoulders. She worked as a domestic help, washing utensils and clothes in different households, earning Rs 300 a month. She toiled tirelessly so her children wouldn't go to sleep hungry.

Aslam witnessed all of this closely. He thought that if his mother could manage everything under such harsh circumstances, he too could do something on his own. His brothers also took up odd jobs to support the family.

Aslam Inamdar with his family

Aslam himself washed glasses at a tea stall, worked at a juice centre, and laboured in agricultural fields. When needed, he even took up jobs cleaning toilets. He used to collect discarded bottles and sell them to scrap dealers to cover the cost of his meals. Working throughout the day and going for practice at night remained his daily routine for a long time.

The Kabaddi Journey

After playing prize matches in his village, Aslam set out to join tournaments across Maharashtra. With no money for tickets in his pocket, he would travel by sleeping under train seats. He survived on the food provided at the tournaments. Sometimes he managed with just a single vada pav, and at other times, he would pack leftover food in his bag to eat later. He earned between 200 and 500 rupees per match. At times, he played just for a meal. Through these struggles, he got introduced to the wider world of kabaddi.

Initially, his brother opposed his decision to play. Believing that kabaddi offered little scope for career growth, his brother wanted him to focus on his studies instead. Six months after their father's demise, his brother joined the police force.

Things began to change after that, and Aslam got the opportunity to practice regularly. As praises started pouring in from outside, his brother's confidence grew, and he began supporting Aslam.

Aslam Inamdar and his mother's pictures on a television screen:

To ensure his game didn't remain confined to the village, Aslam moved to Thane. His friend Raju let him stay with his family there. Moving to Thane showed him a completely different side of kabaddi. He learned about corporate teams like Air India and Union Bank, realizing that playing for such teams brought financial stability. He decided to step out of his village and compete at a much higher level.

Overcoming a Career-Threatening Injury

In 2014, Aslam suffered a leg fracture, forcing him to stay away from the mat for two to three years. The family had no money for his medical treatment, and they faced numerous hurdles for his surgery. Eventually, the surgery was performed under a government healthcare scheme.

He watched that year's Asian Games kabaddi matches on television. Although kept off the field by his injury, that phase taught him a lot. Once his recovery was complete, he returned to practice.

After nearly a decade of hard work, Aslam got his break in the Pro Kabaddi League, making his debut in the eighth season. In his very first season, he scored 190 points for his team and earned eight lakh rupees.

Aslam Inamdar with his gold medal

With that money, he bought a gold necklace for his mother. Currently, he serves as the captain of Puneri Paltan, a responsibility entrusted to him at the age of twenty-five. Leading the squad across multiple consecutive seasons, he guided Puneri Paltan to the championship title in the tenth season and took them to the final in the twelfth season.

He also excelled as the captain of the Maharashtra state team, winning three silver and three bronze medals. Representing India, he has won

two gold medals. He was honoured with the prestigious Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award for 2023-24.

In the Asian Games final, he took the mat as a substitute in the first half. With the Indian side trailing, his decisive raids helped turn the match around. Playing from the left cover position, he contributed effectively to both offence and defence.

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At a practice ground in Thane, he recently shared his journey with young, aspiring players. Mentioning that Pro Kabaddi gave him fame, financial stability, and respect, he advised young athletes facing financial hardships to always dream big.