Global Kabaddi League begins with much fanfare

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 14

The Global Kabaddi League on Sunday began as the Sports Minister Punjab Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi inaugurated the mega sporting event at the local Surjit Hockey Academy Stadium, Burlton Park.

As many as six teams would vie for the title. The minister said the league was being held by the Sports Department with the assistance of the private sponsors and the entire expenses would be borne by the sponsors, whereas the administrative help and the stadiums was being provided by the state government.

He said six teams namely California Eaglea (USA), Maple Leaf (Canada), Singh Warriors (Punjab), Black Panthers (Fresno, USA), Haryana Lions (India) and Doaba Warriors (USA) would participate in the league and vie for title. He also added that every team would play with each other twice. Therefore, every team would get to play a total of 10 matches.

The minister also said the sports policy of the state government was heading in the right direction. It provided jobs to the sportspersons and also enhances the prize money of various National and International tournaments. The minister envisioned that the policy would help Punjab emerge as a frontrunner state in the country in the arena of sports. He said Kabaddi was our traditional game, which was associated with us adding that it was a team context game.

Expressing gratitude towards NRIs for coming forward to organise the event, the minister said it would help to boost the sporting activity in the state. He also said that more NRIs have evinced keen interest in organising such mega events in future. On being asked about MLA Sushil Riku’s ongoing controversy of talking rudely to IAS officer Ashika Jain, he reportedly said the matter will be looked into.