India’s kabaddi team ready to visit Pakistan for friendly match on the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak

Pakistan and India are on the verge of renewing their rivalry in circle style kabaddi after more than four years as the two teams will face each other in a friendly encounter to be held at the Kartarpur Corridor on November 19.

The match will be conducted on the birth anniversary of Baba Guru Nanak where thousands of pilgrims from both the countries will attend the festival.

“Yes, India have confirmed that they will come for the match,” a senior official of Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) told Nukta.

Both nations last played in the final of the Kabaddi World Cup in 2020 at the Punjab Stadium Lahore in which Pakistan had emerged victorious.

While cricket rivalry between the two countries have always been famous, the rivalry in kabaddi, however rare, is more intense. The on-field emotions and a close contest had enthralled the audience in their last encounter.

A match is in progress during the 43rd National Kabaddi Championship at the Pakistan Sports Complex in Islamabad.Pakistan Sports Board

Unfortunately, due to strained political relations and lack of official engagements, Pakistan and India rarely face each other in circle kabaddi.

Pakistan have also not played any circle style international event since 2020 due to Covid and multiple other reasons. However, players in the field were seen engaged to a certain extent at different club competitions.

“Yes, that is an issue but it does not mean that they are completely off-hand. They have kept themselves engaged in practice at the club and other levels,” the official told Nukta.

“We have shortlisted players from the national event which we have held recently. We will also hold trials and if anyone is interested, they may come. We want to hold a camp in a couple of days either at Islamabad or Lahore.”

It is expected that a couple of more matches will be held between the two nations as PKF wants to benefit from the tour of the Indian side. The additional encounters will also help in reducing tension between the two nations on the sporting front.

The Indian team is also unlikely to face any visa hurdles as the Pakistan government has announced to issue online visas to the Sikh pilgrims.

“It will be a major event as our PKF President Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, who is Punjab Minister for Trade and Industries, and Punjab Sports Minister, have also been involved and it will be unique event as we will hold it inside the samadhi of Guru Nanak,” the official said.