LAHORE: The Indian kabaddi team arrived here on Thursday to take part inInternational Kabaddi Taakra, to be held from January 8. TheInternational Kabaddi Taakra is being organized after 11 years by PunjabGovernment in collaboration with Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF).
Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti, Director General SportsPunjab Nadeem Sarwar warmly welcomed the members of Indian kabaddi team atNational Hockey Stadium on Thursday.
The Iranian kabaddi team has already reached Lahore.
Jhang will host opening clash between Pakistan Green and India, while thegrand 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 amedia talk.
Earlier, Secretary General Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Rana Sarwar,SBP Chief Consultant Shahid Faqir Virk and a large number of sports loversreceived the Indian kabaddi team at Wagha Border.
The 14-member Indian kabaddi team is led by Partap Singh while GuldeepSingh and Baljit Singh are manager and coach of the visiting teamrespectively. 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, andShera Singh.
Giving details of the event, Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimoor Khan Bhattisaid Punjab’s four major cities — Lahore, Bahawalpur, Sahiwal and Jhang —will host exciting matches of International Kabaddi Taakra. “Pakistan is apeaceful country and we want to convey the peace message through thetraditional game of kabaddi,” he added.
Taimoor Bhatti said the Punjab government is also planning to host kabaddileague in various cities of the province in future.
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DG Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar said, “Punjab govt, as per the vision ofPrime Minister Imran Khan, is making serious efforts for the revival oftraditional games especially kabaddi.”
“Kabaddi is one of the oldest traditional games and most popular among themasses. Kabaddi is undoubtedly the identity of Subcontinent especiallyPunjab. The traditional games like Kabaddi keep young generation healthyand active,” he said.
Answering a question, DG Sports Punjab Nadeem Sarwar said the way three topkabaddi powers – Pakistan, India and Iran were making efforts and holdingkabaddi events, it reflected the future of kabaddi was bright in the world.
Indian Manager Guldeep Singh and captain Partap Singh expressed theirpleasure on reaching Lahore for International Kabaddi Taakra. They saidthey had special attachment with the game of kabaddi and it could flourishfurther if Pakistan and India played regular kabaddi events.
Secretary General Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Rana Sarwar, saidPakistan’s two kabaddi teams Green and White would be selected during theNational Kabaddi Championship underway at Faisalabad.
He thanked Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti and DG SportsPunjab Nadeem Sarwar for extending best facilities for the promotion of thegame.
