PKF plans to hold World Cup this year

KARACHI: Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) is considering organising World Cup later this year after successfully holding the 3rd Asian Championship at POF Wah last week.

“Yes, it is in our plan. We are trying to do this and hopefully we will be allotted the mega event this time,” PKF secretary Mohammad Sarwar told ‘The News’ on Wednesday.

“I have shown my willingness to organise the event to the president of International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) Janardan Singh Gehlot during his visit to Pakistan last week and I am very hopeful that we will be assigned the task,” said Sarwar, who is also the secretary of Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF).

He said the PKF would like to host the World Cup in November. He said the matter would be put before the general council which would meet in Ramadan. “There are several venues in our mind which could host the World Cup and Karachi is one of them,” Sarwar said.

So far India has been the host of the World Cups. The Indian team has been winning it since its launch in 2004 in Mumbai.

The national kabaddi players have started preparing to join foreign leagues in summer and are seeking NOCs from the PKF.

“Several players have filed requests for NOCs for foreign pro leagues. Twenty of our players, ten raiders and ten defenders, will play this season in Canada league which will start from July,” Sarwar revealed.

“As usual, some will be going to England and after they return the stage will be set for the World Cup,” the official said.

Pakistani players have been earning substantial amounts by playing in foreign leagues.

“Some of our players will also go to India this June to play in their pro league. The bidding will be held soon and I hope four to six of our players will be purchased,” Sarwar said.

Pakistani players missed the pro-league held early this year in India because of their engagement in the South Asian Games.

“India has a big market and it is not difficult for them to organise such leagues repeatedly,” he said.

To a query Sarwar said the Pakistani players had the potential to be offered big money. “If our players are not offered good remuneration by the franchises in the Indian league, it does not mean that they are not capable enough. There are several impediments in the way,” the official said.

“We lost to India in India by just one point in the final of the South Asian Games although the hosts had the services of top-ranked players,” Sarwar said.

He also disclosed that the PKF would hold National Beach Kabaddi Championship in Islamabad next month to form a side for the Asian Beach Games.

The 5th Asian Beach Games will be held in Vietnam from September 24 to October 3 this year.

Asked why the National Beach Championship is not being organised in Karachi which is an ideal place for beach events, Sarwar said the federation had been thinking about holding an international-level beach event in the port city. “We know the importance of Karachi and we will give due respect to it in our plans,” he said.