Indian kabaddi squad arrives

ISLAMABAD: While Turkmenistan may miss the Asian Kabaddi Championship, the Indian team has arrived with high expectations for the six-team event which starts in POF Wah from Monday (today).

Vijay Prakash, the head of 24-member Indian contingent that crossed over Wagah Border and took the Motorway to reach Wah on Sunday evening, looked enthusiastic and in positive mood. “Playing in Pakistan is like playing in the Indian Punjab. We always enjoy playing here,” he said while speaking to media. “We are really thankful to Pakistan people for welcoming us,” he added.

He said he was looking forward to exciting kabaddi in the competition. “Playing against Pakistan has always been exciting. When it comes to circle kabaddi, both teams are the best in the world. Hopefully our players will give their best to entertain the crowd,” Prakash said.

He said the match against Pakistan would be a virtual final. Prakash, who is vice-president of the Indian kabaddi body, said he always enjoyed coming to Pakistan and watching kabaddi here.

‘The News’ has learnt that Turkmenistan squad is facing flight problems and may not be able to participate in the tournament. “Yes, we have learnt that they are having some problems with flights. Though we are trying to solve their problem, it is becoming difficult by each passing hour to have them in the tournament. Turkmenistan may not participate in the event to make the Asia Cup a six-team competition now,” Mohammad Sarwar, secretary Asian Kabaddi Federation, said when contacted.

Afghanistan and Nepal teams have already arrived. Sri Lanka were due to reach late Sunday night and Iran on Monday.

World Kabaddi Federation president JS Gehlot has confirmed his arrival to watch the Asia Cup. Sarwar said that every effort had been made to make the event free of controversies. “We will follow the world body rules and also implement the World Anti Doping Authority (WADA) rules,” he said.

The event will be played on single league system with each team playing against other teams once. The team getting maximum points at the end of the league will be the winner.

“Apparently, India and Pakistan are the strongest teams in the competition,” Sarwar said. “The two will be playing the last match of round robin league. It is expected that the match will become a final in all respects,” he said.