Pakistan gear up for Kabaddi World Cup

A strong Pakistan outfit is likely to depart for India on October 31 to feature in the World Cup Kabaddi tournament that takes place from November 1 to 20 in the Indian Punjab. “We have not announced our squad for the event yet as we have not got the results of players’ dope tests. But most probably we will announce our team by Sunday,” Secretary Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Muhammad Sarwar said. He said that Pakistan players had undergone hard training and were in good shape. “We are expecting some real good results from them,” he said.
Thirteen countries including Argentina, Pakistan, USA, Canada, UK, Italy, Norway, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, Germany, Spain and hosts India will take part men’s category. While, for the first time, this year, Women World Cup Kabaddi is being organised and four countries including UK, USA, Turkmenistan and India in women category are in the fray for the cup. The opening ceremony would be held at Bathinda, whereas the final match and closing ceremony would be organised at Ludhiana. The prize money will Indian Rupees 20 million for the winner, whereas runners-up would get Indian Rs 10 million, third place holders would get Rs 5.1 million. All participating teams would be given Rs. one million. In the women Kabaddi first position holder will get Rs 2.5 million, while second and third will get Rs 1.5 million and one million, respectively. Pakistan outclassed traditional rivals India 42-33 to clinch the Kabaddi gold of the South Asian Beach Games at Hambantota, Sri Lanka, in the beginning of the ongoing month.