LAHORE – The Indian kabaddi team arrived here on Thursday to take part in International Kabaddi Taakra, to be held from January 8.
The International Kabaddi Taakra is being organized after 11 years by Punjab Government in collaboration with Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF).
Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti, Director General Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar warmly welcomed the members of Indian kabaddi team at National Hockey Stadium on Thursday.
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The Iranian kabaddi team has already reached Lahore.
Jhang will host opening clash between Pakistan Green and India, while the grand final clash of the mega event will be staged in Lahore on January 13, this was disclosed by Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti at a media talk.
Earlier, Secretary General Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Rana Sarwar, SBP Chief Consultant Shahid Faqir Virk and a large number of sports lovers received the Indian kabaddi team at Wagha Border.
The 14-member Indian kabaddi team is led by Partap Singh while Guldeep Singh and Baljit Singh are manager and coach of the visiting team respectively. The other members of the neighbouring kabaddi team are: Harjeet Singh, Deepak Sharma, Angrej Singh, Sandeep Singh, Balinder, Kuldeep Singh, Mikki, Mohit, Autar Singh, Sachin, Naresh, Kulveer, and Shera Singh.
Giving details of the event, Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti said Punjab’s four major cities — Lahore, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal and Jhang — will host exciting matches of International Kabaddi Taakra. “Pakistan is a peaceful country and we want to convey the peace message through the traditional game of kabaddi,” he added. Taimoor Bhatti said the Punjab government is also planning to host kabaddi league in various cities of the province in future.
DG Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar said, “Punjab govt, as per the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, is making serious efforts for the revival of traditional games especially kabaddi.”
“Kabaddi is one of the oldest traditional games and most popular among the masses. Kabaddi is undoubtedly the identity of Subcontinent especially Punjab. The traditional games like Kabaddi keep young generation healthy and active,” he said.
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Answering a question, DG Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar said the way three top kabaddi powers – Pakistan, India and Iran were making efforts and holding kabaddi events, it reflected the future of kabaddi was bright in the world.
Indian Manager Guldeep Singh and captain Partap Singh expressed their pleasure on reaching Lahore for International Kabaddi Taakra. They said they had special attachment with the game of kabaddi and it could flourish further if Pakistan and India played regular kabaddi events.
Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Secretary General Rana Sarwar, said Pakistan’s two kabaddi teams Green and White would be selected during the National Kabaddi Championship underway at Faisalabad.
He thanked Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti and DG Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar for extending best facilities for the promotion of the game.
