The stage for the grand finale of the fourth World Cup Kabaddi-2013 is all set at ludhiana’s Guru Nanak Stadium where arch rivals, India and Pakistan, would vie for the title and Rs two crore cash prize.
The Indo-Pak clash would be witnessed by Pakistan Punjab’s Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and India’s Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal giving further momentum to Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal’s efforts to enlist Kabaddi in the Olympics. “The presence of both Chief Ministers would also give further strength to bilateral trade, cultural, tourism and sports ties. Shahbaz Sharif, Parkash Singh Badal, Sukhbir Badal would distribute the prizes to the winners and runners-up,” said a government spokesperson.
Bollywood star Ranbir Singh would regale the audience with his stage performance. ludhiana has been continuously hosting the final event of Kabaddi World Cup for the last four years, and the last three World Cups — 2010, 2011 and 2013 — were held at ludhiana where the Indian Men’s Team was registered victories by trouncing Pakistan twice and Canada once respectively in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
The Pakistan team entered into the final for the third time defeating United States. “The match is expected to be the toughest match of the World Cup as the two teams have world’s strong players. Indian team includes captain Sukhbir Sarawan, Mangat Singh Mangi, Gurpreet Gopi and new stars of Kabaddi Sultan, Gurmeet Mandian while Pakistan team has captain Babar Gujjar, lala Abaidulla and Akmal Dogar,” added the spokesperson. The winner team would get cash prize of Rs two crore whereas the runners-up would be awarded with Rs one crore, and the best raider and stopper would be awarded with Preet Tractors.