Old Delhi’s traditional wrestling akhadas, once central to the city’s sporting life, have seen a steady decline as public interest in desi wrestling wanes and local competitions weaken.A former Indian wrestler, who was not named, told IANS that there was a time when dangals near Jama Masjid and other parts of Old Delhi attracted large crowds. “People would travel around town just to watch the games,” he said. “It wasn’t just sport – it was community, pride and tradition all rolled into one.”According to him, the decline became more pronounced after the Covid-19 pandemic. The lockdown affected daily training, local tournaments were stopped and many akhads faced financial problems. With limited support, several centers have closed, while others are now operating with fewer wrestlers than before.The wrestler also raised concerns about the credibility of the competitions. He argued that fixed matches and betting were driving away viewers. “When the audience started to feel that some of the matches were staged and that it was betting, the trust was broken,” he said. “Fans are smart – they can tell when something isn’t real.He said the impact has been severe on young wrestlers, many of whom no longer see akhadas as a viable route to progress in the sport. Due to the lack of exposure and financial support, some have moved on to other sports or stopped competing altogether.Despite the challenges, the former wrestler believes the traditional sport can still be revived with institutional support. “The Delhi government must step in to protect and promote traditional mud matches,” he said. “These akhadas are part of our cultural heritage. If we lose them, we lose a piece of who we are.”
