Kabaddi World Cup 2020 begins today

LAHORE: Punjab Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti, while addressing a press conference on Saturday at a local hotel, welcomed the ten international kabaddi teams including India for Kabaddi World Cup 2020.

The 10-nation mega kabaddi World Cup tournament will kick off from February 9 to 16, 2020 with a grand opening ceremony at Punjab Stadium. It may be noted here that kabaddi World Cup is being organized jointly by Punjab govt, Sports Board Punjab (SBP) and Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) in three cities of Punjab Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujrat.

President Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Ch Shafay Hussain, Secretary Rana Sarwar, Director General Sports Punjab Adnan Arshad Aulakh and captains of all teams were also present on this occasion.

Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti said there is no boundary in sports and definitely it is a proud moment for all of us to host first ever Kabaddi World Cup on Pakistan soil. “It is best time for us to show Pakistan’s soft image to international community. Pakistan is a peaceful country.

Holding grand Kabaddi World Cup is a clear message for India and rest of the world that Pakistani people are sports loving. Punjab govt has made best security arrangements for all guest teams during their stay in Pakistan”.

Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti informed that Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar will inaugurate the Kabaddi World Cup 2020 at a grand opening ceremony at 4.00pm on February 9, 2020 at Punjab Stadium. “We have also sent a request to Prime Minister Imran Khan to grace the closing ceremony as chief guest”.

Answering a question regarding Pakistan players’ preparation and diet, Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti said Pakistani players are in excellent shape for mega kabaddi tournament. “Our top experts imparted best training to national kabaddi players during the two-month long training camp. Our players also got international level diet during the training camp,” he added. President Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Ch Shafay Hussain, on this occasion thanked Punjab govt and Sports Board Punjab for making excellent arrangements for the organization of Kabaddi World Cup in a befitting manner. He also welcomed all the participating kabaddi teams.

Secretary PKF Rana Sarwar, on this occasion, informed that all the matches of Kabaddi World Cup will be organized in a transparent manner. “For this purpose, International Kabaddi Federation has deputed observers and neutral match referees for the matches of Kabaddi World Cup 2020”.

Earlier, remaining international kabaddi teams from India, Canada, Australia, Sierra Leone and England have also arrived in Lahore to participate in Kabaddi World Cup 2020. Taimoor Khan Bhatti received the Indian team upon reaching at hotel while other guest teams were warmly received by Sports Board Punjab at Allama Iqbal International Airport on Saturday. The kabaddi teams from Germany, Azerbaijan and Iran had landed in Pakistan on Thursday night training camp,” he added.

President Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Ch Shafay Hussain, on this occasion thanked Punjab govt and Sports Board Punjab for making excellent arrangements for the organization of Kabaddi World Cup in a befitting manner. He also welcomed all the participating kabaddi teams.