‘Matches against Iran helped Pak kabaddi team’

KARACHI: Pakistan Kabaddi Federation’s (PKF) secretary Mohammad Sarwar said on Wednesday that a few practice matches with the Iran team in Islamabad last week would help Pakistan in the 12th South Asian Games.

“Yes, definitely these games will help us. It has set the match temperament of our players,” Sarwar told ‘The News’.

“Iran had sent its top national team. Out of three matches held in Islamabad we won two and lost one,” said Sarwar, also the secretary of Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF).

Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan will feature in the men’s slots which will be held at Guwahati from February 11-15.

The event will be conducted under single league system with the top two teams qualifying for the final.

Sarwar hoped that Pakistan would qualify for the final. “Definitely our first target is to make it to the final. And then we will see how we play against India,” the official said.

Pakistan lost to India in the 2010 Dhaka South Asian Games.

Sarwar said the women team was also good. “This team is featuring in an Asian-style international event for the first time. There will be problems but I hope the girls will do well,” he said.

“Sara Saeed had developed an injury but she is now okay as Dr Waqar treated her well,” he said. Pakistan teams will go to Guwahati on February 9 or 10.