Punjab to endeavour to include Kabbadi in Olympics: Badal

Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said his government was working with other Kabbadi playing nations to devise modalities to include the sport in Commonwealth and Olympics Games.
Announcing the schedule of the fifth World Kabbadi Cup to be held in Punjab from December 6 to 20, Badal said he would soon meet Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to take up this matter with Commonwealth and Olympics games committees.
Badal said Kabbadi was not confined to the geographical boundaries of India any longer after the successful organization of world Kabbadi leagues at national and international level.
"In fact Kabbadi leagues are attracting more spectators than other sports leagues organized in the country", he added.

Announcing the schedule of the Rs 5.27 crore World Cup Kabaddi Cup (Circle Style), Badal said 19 teams including 11 men and eight women teams from 14 countries would vie for top honours at the tournament.
He said that 11 national teams from USA, Iran, Pakistan, Denmark, Australia, England, Spain, Canada, Argentina, Denmark, Sweden and India would take part in mens section, while teams from USA, India, England, Denmark, New Zealand, Mexico, Pakistan and Azerbaijan will compete in women's event.

"Denmark and Azerbaijan in men and women sections respectively are taking part for the first time," he added.
Badal also informed that opening ceremony will be held at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium Jalandhar on December 6 and the concluding event with men's final will be held at Badal village stadium in Sri Muktsar Sahib on December 20.

Women's final including contests for third and fourth positions in both sections would be played at sports stadium Barnala on December 19.
Giving details of the awards, Badal said in the men's section the winners will get prize money of Rs 2 crore and the runners up and third position holders will get Rs 1 crore and Rs 51 lakh respectively.
He said in the women's section, the prize money for first three positions would be Rs 1 crore, Rs 51 lakhs and Rs 25 lakhs respectively.