Indian kabaddi team arrives in Pakistan for three-nation series

An Indian kabaddi team, in the name of SPGC Tigers India, was received by Pakistan’s kabaddi authorities at the Wagah border today.

A ten-member Pakistan Kabaddi Federation’s (PKF) delegation received the Indian team which will feature in the Sarsabz three-nation Baba Guru Nanak International Kabaddi Cup which will begin at the WAPDA Sports Complex in Lahore on Wednesday (tomorrow).

Lions of Tabraiz Iran had already arrived in the city on Monday. Hosts Pakistan Eagles will join them in the three-day competition.

Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) have made all arrangements for holding the event in a befitting way.

A PKF source told Nukta that every kind of facility and top security will be provided to the touring sides, hoping that the event will boost Pakistan’s soft image.

PKF had been making effort since long to bring in an Indian team. According to sources the SPGC Tigers India also have international players who also play for India.

Kabaddi was extremely popular across the border at a time when sporting ties between the two nations were much better. However strained diplomatic relations at times damaged the same thing and now it’s very difficult for the Indian team to cross the border.

India had refused to send its national kabaddi team a few months ago to play a series against Pakistan on the occasion of the Baba Guru Nanak birth anniversary at Kartarpur.

The matches were scheduled to be held at Kartarpur corridor. However, this tour of Indian team is a good sign for the promotion of kabaddi in the region.

In the past Pakistani players also used to feature in India’s Pro Kabaddi League. However, this trend also ended and now hardly both nations come close to each other.

Indian kabaddi team had last toured Pakistan in 2020 for the World Cup which had been won by Pakistan after beating their arch-rivals in the crunch decider which had attracted a huge crowd.