Asian-style Kabaddi World Cup in India
KARACHI: Eyeing an impressive debut in the Asian-style Kabbadi World Cup, Pakistan have started their preparations at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad.
The World Cup, the third of its kind since the initial two were held in 2004 and 2007 in Mumbai and Panvel respectively, will be hosted by India in Ahmedabad from October 7-29.
Pakistan are considered tough contenders in the Asian style and authorities hope that the nation will perform well in the event.
“We plan to prepare well and we are confident that our team will deliver its best,” Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) secretary Mohammad Sarwar told ‘The News’ from Islamabad on Friday.
As many as 25 players have been put in the camp to prepare for the major event in which 12 nations from around the world will fight for the crown. The United States, Canada, England, Australia, Iran, Poland, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Korea, Japan, Kenya and India will be part of the showpiece.
Badshah Gul, Major Nabeel and Mohammad Adnan are supervising the camp.
India have so far won all world titles, two in the Asian style and five in the circle style, the last of them was held in 2014 at Sri Muktsar Sahib. In the five-circle style World Championships, Pakistan ended runners-up for four times while they won bronze in 2012.
In the 2004 and 2007 Asian-style World Cups, Iran got full advantage of Pakistan’s absence as they played the final against India each time while Bangladesh claimed bronze medals on both occasions.
It will be a real test for Pakistan to maintain their supremacy in the style. They defeated India twice in the finals of the Asian Championships which were held in Lahore in 2012 and POF Wah recently.
Although the politically volatile relationship between Pakistan and India may create a hurdle for the former’s participation in the global event, the PKF official also feels such a fear. “It could happen. But we have to prepare for the event. If we are able to get visas then we will feature in the event and if we fail to get them then it won’t be in our control,” Sarwar said.
Meanwhile the circle-style World Cup is yet to be held outside India and Pakistan hope they will be able to get their hosting right.
“We are keen to host the circle-style World Cup but it may happen next year. This year our schedule is very tough as we are not only taking part in the Asian-style World Cup in India but will also feature in the Asian Beach Games in Vietnam. We also have to hold our inaugural domestic league in the next few months,” said Sarwar, who is also secretary of the Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF).
Pakistan are also preparing nine probables for the Asian Beach Games to be hosted by Vietnam in Danang from September 24 to October 3.
Major Nabeel is supervising the camp in Islamabad. As many as six-member Pakistan team will feature in the continental assignment.
The PKF official also showed his ignorance about the tour of a Pakistani kabaddi team to Canada. As per the reports, carried by some of the newspapers on Friday, a kabaddi team was scheduled to fly for Canada on Friday to take part in the four-nation event which will be held in Toronto from August 20 to 26.
“We don’t know about the tour. Nobody has sought our permission. A fake body may have arranged the tour. We cannot do anything. It is the job of the government to obstruct such tours,” Sarwar said.