World Cup Kabaddi Punjab 2010
10 Nations to vie for Rs 2.16 crore prize money
WITH a view to further boosting the most crowd-pulling game of kabaddi, especially in rural areas of the state and country, the Punjab Government has adopted a pragmatic approach by hosting a fabulous Rs 2.16 crore Prize Money World Cup Kabaddi Punjab-2010 from April 3 to 12.
Addressing a crowded press conference here on Monday, Bikram Singh Majithia, Sr. Vice Chairperson and Sikander Singh Maluka Vice Chairperson of World Cup Kabaddi, Punjab, informed that the first ever International mega event being organized with the farsighted initiative and under able guidance of Sukhbir Singh Badal, Deputy Chief Minister, Punjab has attracted enthusiastic response worldwide.
They said that ten national teams of Pakistan, United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, Iran, Australia, Italy, Spain and Norway and hosts India have confirmed their participation.
Announcing the handsome prize money at stake, Majithia said that the winning team would receive a purse of Rs. 1 crore. The country finishing runners-up will take home Rs 51 lakh. The third place winners will be presented a purse of Rs 25 lakh, while Rs. 10 lakh cash prizes will be given to the winners attaining forth position and Rs. 5 lakh each to other participating team.
It has also been decided to give tractors to best raider and best catcher of the semi final teams. Besides this motorcycles will be given to the best raider and catcher of the all the teams in each match. Besides, the lucrative cash prizes, the glittering trophies as well as individual prizes would be awarded to the winners.
Seeing the popularity this sports discipline, Majithia announced that it would be an annual feature and more countries would be invited in the next World Cups.
The Punjab Government is keen and determined to promote sports in a big way and properly channelize the youth power. In this direction a new result-oriented sports policy is under active consideration. “Under the guidance of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, the State Government will provide state-of-art sports infrastructure in all districts, scientific training, cash incentives and regular competitions which will pave the way for attaining excellence in sports,” said Majithia.
Explaining that rural masses are passionate about kabaddi, Majithia said that a large number of kabaddi tournaments are conducted throughout the state. Some of these meets are sponsored by Non-Resident Indians.
Acknowledging the popularity of kabaddi, the State Government last year included this sports discipline in the Sports Gradation Policy.
Majithia announced that the Pearls WCKP-2010 would be a drug free event and the Medical Anti Doping Committee, headed by Dr Manmohan Singh and Dr Munish Chander, has also started functioning.
The anti-doping panel has already taken samples of 29 Indian players who turned up for selection trials in Ludhaina on March 20. “It is mandatory for all players taking part in the tournament. All samples collected would be sent to World Anti-Doping Agency accreditated National Dope Testing Laboratory in New Delhi,” Majithia announced.
“Stringent action will be taken against those who test positive,” said the WCKP-2010 Organising Vice Chairpersons.
Majithia and Maluka further said that the colourful opening and closing ceremonies have been planned. Noted folk singers and artistes would perform to enthrall the crowd.
Yadvindra Public School of Patiala will be the venue of the opening ceremony on April 3 while the closing ceremony along with the finals will be conducted at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana on April 12.
Secretary Sports P S Aujla said that matches would also be played at Sports Stadium, Sangrur, Bathinda, Guru Nanak Stadium, Amritsar, Guru Gobind Singh Stadium Jalandhar, Government College Stadium Gurdsapur and Hoshirapur.
Aujla said that all matches would be telecast live on PTC. Besides live coverage, highlights of the matches would also be shown daily. Eminent Punjabi folk singers and comedian Bhagwant Mann and other artistes including Master Saleem, Satvinder Bitti, Manpreet Akhtar and Jasbir Jassi will regale the spectators at all the venues of this grand event.
Organising Secretary Pargat Singh disclosed that the Punjab Sports Department has appointed liaison officers to be attached with each participating team. A jury of appeal has also 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 up high standards in conducting the mega event. Efforts have been made to provide all comforts to the participating teams and officials accompanying them,” said Pargat Singh.
Regarding the formation of the Indian team, Pargat said that a selection committee, with Shiv Dev Singh as chairman, has selected 35 probables for the coaching camp in Ludhiana. The final team will be selected during the coaching camp.