ISLAMABAD: (APP) Pakistan's first-ever National Women Kabaddi Championship will roll into action from December 14 in Lahore with athletes from all over the country chipping in the event, Secretary Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Secretary Muhammad Sarwar said on Thursday.
Talking to APP he said that four provincial teams, Islamabad, WAPDA, Higher Education Commission (HEC) and Pakistan Army would be among the participating outfits.
"The championship is a big step towards the promotion of women Kabaddi in the country. We hope it will help encourage women to pursue the sport," he said.
He said the federation wanted to encourage females to develop an interest in Kabaddi and even represent the country at the international level.
"The championship will help us to select a strong national outfit," he said.
Meanwhile, national captain Khazeema Saeed believes that the sport has come a long way since she, along with her national teammates, started playing the sport last year.
"I'm extremely delighted that at the start of this championship. Since last year, the sport has really picked up with an increase in the number of girls trying out for the national side.
I'm sure this championship would further increase the interest in the sport," she said.
The 19-year old Khazeema was part of the Under-19 squad that first went on a training tour in Iran. She also contested at the South Asian Games and again went back to Iran for a tournament where the team bagged bronze. "It has been a learning experience as the various tours taught us a lot," she added.