New Delhi: Kabaddi is set for a major facelift with the launch Tuesday of World Kabaddi League, a venture of the Punjab government.
The league is all set for inauguration in mid-June at Thyagaraj Sports Complex here.
The league follows the Formula 1 touring sports format and will be played across four continents starting from August to December.
The official website of the World Kabaddi League (http://www.worldkabaddileague.net/ ) was launched by Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and Pargat Singh, sports administrator and ex-Olympian here Tuesday.
“In the northern region of the Indian sub-continent, kabaddi is an extremely popular sport and the last four kabaddi World Cups held in India bear testimony to this,” Badal, president of the World Kabaddi League, said.
“I am extremely proud to let the world know of India’s sporting prowess in the field of kabaddi through World Kabaddi League. This league is extremely close to my heart and I envision it to grow by great leaps in the next few years. In its current form the league will be played across four continents with access to nearly 200 kabaddi clubs across the world. For kabaddi, I believe this is just the beginning.”
Taking a cue from the same, Pargat Singh, commissioner, World Kabaddi League, who has been closely involved in the daily scope of operations of the league commenting on the momentous occasion said, “After successfully executing four editions of Kabaddi World Cup in Punjab, we realised the need for a professional kabaddi league which connects South Asians across the world with their traditional heritage. By adding more action-oriented elements to this original Indian contact team sport, we are making it viewer-friendly.”