17 countries stake their claim for top honours

  Shahrukh Khan To Dazzle The Audience In The Spectacular Opening Ceremony In Bathinda. Six-A-Side Laser Show, First Of Its Own Kind, By Wizcraft To Be The Star Attraction.

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH:

Countdown has begun for the most spectacular 20-day long sports extravaganza as Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal unveiled schedule for 2^nd World Cup Kabaddi starting from November 1. The spectacular opening ceremony would be held at Bathinda whereas final match and closing ceremony would be organized at Ludhiana.

             Addressing the media persons Mr. Badal said that his aim to give international recognition to Punjab’s traditional game Kabaddi has been partially achieved as more than 13 countries are participating in second edition of World Cup Kabaddi and four countries would participate for women world cup kabaddi. Mr. Badal said that 13 countries including Argentina, Pakistan, USA, Canada, UK, Italy, Norway, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, Germany, Spain and hosts India would be in the Men Section. He said that for the first time Women World Cup Kabaddi was being organized and four countries including  UK, USA, Turkmenistan and India in Women Section were in the fray for the fabulous prize money.

             Mr. Badal said that efforts have been made to organize these matches in the rural heartland of Punjab. He said that 6 venues were floodlit and these venues, matches would be organized during night time after 6 PM whereas another venues matches would be organized during day time. The Kabaddi matches would be organized at Bathinda, Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Dhudike (Moga), Roopnagar, Sangrur, Chohla Sahib (Tarntaran), YPS Patiala, Kapurthala, Doda (Mukatsar), Amritsar, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, Mansa, Jalandhar, Bathinda and Ludhiana.

             The Deputy Chief Minister said that to motivate the players the prize money has been doubled to Rs 2 Crore for the winner, whereas runners-up would get Rs 1 crore, third place holders would be getting Rs 51.00 lacs. He said that  all participating teams would be given Rs. 10 lacs. In the women Kabaddi first position holder Women Team gets 25.00 lac. Second, Third and Forth get Rs 15.00 lac, 10.00 lac and 10.00 lac respectively. It has also been decided to give Tractors one each to Best Raider and Best Catcher of the Final Match for Men.

            Mr. Badal said that strict compliance for WADA stipulations were being adhered to make the 2^ndWCKP-2011 will be a drug free mega international event. Anti-Doping Committee under WADA has already started functioning. He said that 20 out of 51 probable, who tested positive in the dope test have already been banned for two years.

Mr. Badal said that to promote sports in a big way and properly chanalize the youth power. In this direction, a new result-oriented Sports Policy has been implemented in the state. He said that the State Government has provided state-of-the-art-sports infrastructure in the state. 7 Multipurpose Stadia, 5 Synthetic Hockey Stadiums, One International Hostel and a Sports School at Village Ghudda District Bathinda have been developed at a cost of about 200.00 crore. All the sports projects are in the final stage of completion.

Explaining that the rural masses are passionate about kabaddi and acknowledging the popularity of the game, Mr. Badal said that the state Government has included this game in the Sports Gradation Policy, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Award Policy and Cash Award Policy.

He said that the colourful opening and closing ceremonies have been planned and this task of cultural programme has been entrusted to an acclaimed event management company named Wizcraft, which had the honour to perform Cultural Programme in the Commonwealth Games, New Delhi-2010.

Sh. S.K. Sandhu, IAS, Principle Secretary Sports and Executive Member Organizing Committee said that all efforts have been made to make this event drug free. An Anti Dope Committee have been formed which will be responsible to manage Pre and Post World Cup Kabaddi Anti Doping Affairs and submit a report to Organizing Committee on conclusion of the programme. All the players found positive during 1^st WCKP-2010 have been debarred from participating in this event. He further informed that to facilitate the public, the matches of the event have been scattered to be conducted over 16 places through out the state. The semi-finals, finals, Opening and Closing Ceremonies and matches at Gurdaspur, Patiala, Amritsar, Jalandhar would be conducted under flood lights and telecast live by PTC. The matches at other venues would also be telecast live by this channel.

Organizing Secretary Pargat Singh disclosed that to look after the comfort and convenience of all participating teams, the Punjab Sports Department has appointed 2 liaison officers with the each team. He further added that eminent punjabi folk singers, comedians and artists would regale the audience at all the venues of this grand event. A jury of appeal has been formed to look into any dispute, if arises. Rules and regulations of the tournament have been sent to each participating team.

“We will set high standards in conducting the mega event. Efforts have been made to provide all comforts to the participating teams and officials accompanying” said Pargat Singh.

Regarding the formation of Indian teams, Mr. Pargat Singh said that a Selection Committee, under the Chairmanship of International Kabaddi player Sh. Shiv Dev Singh has been formed which has selected 31 Men and 30 Women probables for the coaching camps going on at Bathinda and Ludhiana, respectively. Prior to this, the Selection Committee conducted Selection Trails for Men and Women at Ludhiana in the Month of October, 2011.

Regarding India’s chances of winning the tournament once again, Pargat Singh said, “let the best team win.”