Kabaddi World Cup to begin today

KARACHI: India is all set to host World Cup Kabaddi tournament starting from today, Geo News reported. Fourteen countries including Pakistan will take part in the competition that will be broadcasted live on Geo Super. The Pakistan team will be announced today before departure.

"We have not announced our squad for the event yet as we have not got the results of players' dope tests," Secretary Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Muhammad Sarwar said. Akhtar Pathan and Babar Waseem of Pakistan could not get the visas.

Fourteen countries including Argentina, Pakistan, USA, Canada, UK, Italy, Norway, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, Germany, Spain and hosts India will take part men's category.

The World Cup Kabaddi tournament will take place from November 1 to 20 in the Indian Punjab. The opening ceremony would be held at Bathinda where Shahrukh Khan would also perform. Geo Super will telecast the ceremony live at 4.30 pm today. The final match and closing ceremony would be organised at Ludhiana.

The prize money will Indian Rupees 20 million for the winner, whereas runners-up would get Indian Rs 10 million, third place holders would get Rs 5.1 million. All participating teams would be given Rs. one million.

Pakistan outclassed traditional rivals India 42-33 to clinch the Kabaddi gold of the South Asian Beach Games at Hambantota, Sri Lanka, in the beginning of the ongoing month.