By Chanchal Manohar Singh
Chandigarh, November 30 (PKB)- Punjab pproved a budget of Rs. 17 crore for hosting of 5th World Cup Kabaddi from December 6 to December 20.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal said 17 national teams including 9 men and 8 women teams from 12 countries would contest for the title.
Giving further details of arrangements Director Sports Mr T.S. Dhaliwal said that in the men’s event 9 teams from India, USA, England, Pakistan, Spain, Denmark, Iran, Argentina and Australia, while 8 women teams from India, USA, England, Denmark, Pakistan, New Zealand, Mexico and Azerbaijan captivate the kabbadi lovers with their heart stopping raids and defences.
He said thst glittering and gala ceremonies wouls be organized during opening and concluding of this mega event in which 12 countries including Pakistan would participate.
The Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal would be the chief guest of opening and closing ceremonies while the Deputy Chief Minister will preside over the functions. Last year Cheif Minister of Pakistan's Punjab Shabaz Sharif had announced at prize distribution funcion od 4th world Kabbadi Champion ship here that the finals of the kabbadi matches would be held in Lahore, But organisers did not give any hint of holding some matches in Lahore. The Pakistan's men and women Kabbadi teams are participating for the fifth time in the WorldKkabbadi championship.
Giving further details of arrangements Director Sports Mr T.S. Dhaliwal said that in the men’s event 9 teams from India, USA, England, Pakistan, Spain, Denmark, Iran, Argentina and Australia, while 8 women teams from India, USA, England, Denmark, Pakistan, New Zealand, Mexico and Azerbaijan captivate the kabbadi lovers with their heart stopping raids and defences.
Keeping in view the weather conditions the kabbadi matches would be held during day time. It was resolved that both opening and closing ceremony at Ceremony at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium Jalandhar and Village Badal stadium in Sri Muktsar Sahib spectively would be held at 6:00 PM whereas all matches except men’s final would be played during noon.
Men’s final would be held at village Badal along with closing ceremony while Women Kabbadi’s final and contests for third and fourth positions in both sections would be played at sports stadium Barnala on December 19. The semifinals of both Men and Women would be organized at Kabaddi Stadium, Dirba in Sangrur district.
It is mentioned here that league matches would be organized at Government College Stadium Gurdaspur, Multipurpose Stadium Dhudike, Moga, Nehru Stadium Rupnagar, A.S. College Stadium Khanna, Ludhiana
and Sports Stadium Chohla Sahib, Tarntaran from December 7 to December 11.
After a rest on December 12 other matches from ecember 13 to December 17 would be played at Guru Nanak stadium Sultanpur Lodhi, Outdoor tadium Hoshiarpur, overnment Ripudaman College stadium Nabha, Patiala, Sports Stadium Jalalabad, Fazilka and Sports Stadium Mehta, Amritsar.
It was also decided that Ministers would preside over the kabbadi matches to be held in various districts.