Kabaddi team to resume Asiad preparations next week

KARACHI: Pakistan’s men kabaddi team will resume their preparation from next week in Islamabad for the Asian Games which are penciled in for August 18 to September 2 in Indonesian cities of Jakarta and Palembang.

“The camp had been stopped for the Super Kabaddi League (SKL) and we are going to resume it next week in Islamabad,” Pakistan Kabaddi Federation’s (PKF) secretary Mohammad Sarwar told ‘The News’ from Islamabad on Monday.

In the 2014 Incheon Asian Games Pakistan had claimed bronze medal in kabaddi, a performance which did not suit the stature of the Green-shirts who are the world’s second best side after India who rules the kabaddi world and has further improved its stature through a handful of successive cash-rich professional leagues during the last few years. Sarwar admits that Pakistan’s performance in the last edition was not good and hopes that this time the team would live up to the expectations.

“Yes, our performance in the last edition was not good but this time I hope we will deliver much better,” said Sarwar, also the secretary of Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF).Sarwar said that the recently concluded SKL would help PKF to select the best players for the Asian Games.

“The SKL made the things easier for us as we have come to know who are the best and it will help us in selection for the Asian Games. The experience of the SKL will help the boys and they are expected to extend mature performance in the Asian Games,” Sarwar said.Ahead of the Asian Games there is also the possibility of a joint training camp between Pakistan and Iran kabaddi teams.

“There is definitely a chance of such a joint training camp between the two nations in June-July. But the issue is that Iran wants us to come to Tehran while we want them to come to Pakistan. Let’s see what happens,” Sarwar said.

Pakistan had recently lifted silver medal in a five-nation event in Iran, a performance which has created the hope that the country has a solid chance to finish at least with the silver medal in the Asian Games in which Pakistan is expected to feature in around 30 disciplines.

The PKF also has a plan to host an international tournament in Faisalabad in July in which India would also be invited.

“Yes there is certainly the plan to hold an international event in Faisalabad in June. India will also be extended invitation. I don’t think it will feature. But Iran, Korea, Sri Lanka, Iraq and most probably Kenya will be part of the competitions,” Sarwar conceded.

However this tournament is yet to be finalized because of the expected event which is being planned by another body in Dubai.“Another body is also planning to hold an event in Dubai in June-July. If it is not finalised then we will announce our own event to be held in Faisalabad,” Sarwar informed.

About the SKL, which was the first professional league organised by Strawberry Sports Management recently in Lahore, Sarwar said it was a big initiative and hopefully the next year it would be more attractive. “It’s a great success that in the first edition ten teams featured. Ten foreign players were also part of the showdowns. Several foreign players were not picked as one team had to pick only one foreign player. More foreign players have shown interest to become part of the next edition. Similarly more parties have also expressed their desire to purchase franchises. I think this is certainly a great achievement and it will add to the strength of kabaddi in future,” Sarwar said.