Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Thursday said that his government was working with other Kabaddi playing nations to devise modalities to include the sport in Commonwealth and Olympics Games.
Announcing the schedule of the fifth World Kabaddi Cup to be held in Punjab from December 6 to 20, he said that he would soon meet Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to take up this matter with Commonwealth and Olympics games committees.
Sukhbir said that Kabaddi was not confined to the geographical boundaries of India any longer after the successful organization of world Kabaddi leagues at national and international level. “In fact, Kabaddi leagues are attracting more spectators than other sports leagues organised in the country,” he added. Announcing the schedule of the `5.27 crore World Cup Kabaddi Cup (Circle Style), Sukhbir said that 19 teams, including 11 men and eight women teams from 14 countries, would vie for top honours at the tournament. He said that 11 national teams from USA, Iran, Pakistan, Denmark, Australia, England, Spain, Canada, Argentina, Denmark, Sweden and India would take part in men’s section, while teams from USA, India, England, Denmark, New Zealand, Mexico, Pakistan and Azerbaijan will compete in women’s event.
“Sweden and Azerbaijan in men and women sections respectively are taking part for the first time,” he added. Sukhbir also informed that opening ceremony will be held at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, Jalandhar, on December 6 and the concluding event with men’s final will be held at Badal village stadium in Sri Muktsar Sahib on December 20. Sources said that Bollywood stars Sonakshi Sinha, Arjun Kapoor, and singers, including Arif lohar, would dazzle the opening and closing events. Giving details of the awards, Sukhbir said that in the men’s section, winners will get prize money of `2 crore and the runners up and third position holders will get `1 crore and `51 lakh respectively. He said that in the women’s section, the prize money for first 3 positions would be `1 crore, `51 lakh and `25 lakh respectively.