3rd Kabaddi World Cup to commence in Punjab

Punjab is all set to host the third Kabaddi World Cup which will begin at the multipurpose stadium of Bathinda from Saturday.

On the eve of the kabaddi extravaganza, Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab, Sukhbir Singh Badal today inspected the final preparedness of the administration  and the sports authority.

He was accompanied by Sikander Singh Maluka, president Punjab Kabaddi Association and the education minister and Saroop Chand Singla, chief parliamentary secretary.

After the surveillance of the stadium, Badal said that all the preparations for the conduct of this international event have been concluded.

He said that kabaddi is very dear to the people of the state, which consider it as their mother game.

He said that it is matter of pride that kabaddi has progressed leaps and bounds, which is evident from the fact that in the first kabaddi World Cup only nine international teams participated, whereas in this year's event 23 countries from all the six continents will compete.

He said that kabaddi is also becoming popular among women as the number of women teams participating in this edition of the event has increased from four to seven.

Badal said that elaborate arrangements have been made to keep the tournament drug free.

He said for this purpose, the National Anti Dope Agency (NADA) has deputed teams for conducting random dope tests.

He said that anyone found guilty of taking drugs would be banned for two years, besides curtailment of prize money.

There will be four groups in the men's competition. Pool A consists of India, Afghanistan, England and Denmark, while Canada, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Norway form Pool B. Pool C will have Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Scotland and Italy whereas Pool D comprises Argentina, Iran, Kenya and USA.

In the women's category, there would be two pools -- India, Canada and Denmark in Pool A, while England, Turkmenistan, USA and Malaysia are in Pool B.