CHENNAI: Six of them have represented Tamil Nadu in national competitions in 2024. Two have been selected for the national camp. The girls were also part of the victorious Chennai team that won gold in the recently concluded Chief Minister’s Trophy. Some of them are internet celebrities and even have fan pages.

And, they achieved all of the above by practicing in the corner of a public park.

Kannagi Nagar kabaddi team. Remember the name. For, the girls and their coach will do their best to ensure they’re heard by anyone who would care to listen.

Their team jerseys bear no names of the players, only that of their neighbourhood, a conscious decision. When they play tournaments held out of the city or State, they do not mention ‘Chennai’, instead, they use ‘Kannagi Nagar’.

“When the gene

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