Kabaddi World Champions India were in for a well deserved susprise on 2nd November, when they assembled at the behest of Sports Minister Vijay Goel, for a felicitation ceremony in the capital.  Goel announced a cash prize of Rs. 10 Lac to each member of the team, also saying that the Sports Ministry will drive hard the purpose of inclusion of Kabaddi in Olympics.

India had defeated Iran in a close encounter beating them 38-29, after trailing in the initial minutes.

Anup Kumar, Captain of the World Champion team, said that he and his fellow players were happy for the fact that the World Cup was organised and played under the same structure and spirit as the Premier Kabaddi League – influencing the profile of the sport and taking it closer to bidding for its inclusion in the Olympic as more and more countries are now playing Kabaddi.

Anup said that regular playing with and against other players from across the country and globe, enhances the quality of play in each participant as they understand their own weak points nad learn tricks from other players as well, which is good for the development of the sport.

More and more foreign players coming to India to be a part of PKL will produce exponential growth for he profile of Kabaddi and India, which has been playing this sport for centuries now, will be able to give the world another big sport, said Ajay Thakur, who was awarded the Man of the Tournament at the World Cup.

Source: Agencies