KATHMANDU, Sept 20: All Nepal Kabaddi Association (ANKA) is all set to organize the International Invitational Men’s Kabaddi Tournament at National Sports Council’s covered hall, Tripureshwor, from Thursday.
Organizing the press meet in the capital on Tuesday, ANKA informed that the three-day event will feature four South Asian nations including host Nepal, India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
Although Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are fielding their national teams in the tournament, India is sending its reserve team to Kathmandu. As the national players are busy in Pro Kabaddi (national level kabaddi competition), India is unable to send its first team to the competition according to the organizer.
Speaking at the press meet, ANKA’s president Tulsi Thapa said that the main objective of hosting the tournament was to show the kabaddi community that this sport is played in Nepal also.
“We want to show that this sport is played in Nepal also. Since the popularity of kabaddi is slowly growing in the country, hopefully this tournament will contribute toward its development,” said Thapa.
The tournament will be held in round-robin format, with all the participating nations playing one each match against each other. The team with the highest point will win the tournament.
Nepali kabaddi team’s assistant coach Bishnu Datt Bhatta said that the 14-member squad was formed calling the players on the basis of their performances during the 7th National Games held in the eastern region of the country last year.
A total of 26 players were called in for the preliminary squad and then it was downsized to 14 according to Bhatta.
The Nepali team is dominated by Tribhuvan Army Club players as four players from the departmental side are included.
Likewise, three players are from the central region while two players each are from Armed Police Force and the western region of the country.
One member each in the national team is from the eastern region, mid-western region and far-western region.
Bhatta further informed that the team has prepared well for the tournament, adding that it would give tough fight to all the teams.
‘Kabaddi Kabaddi Kabaddi’ teaser releases
