Pro Kabaddi league offers hope as Pakistan aims to tackle financial issues

The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation’s (PKF) Secretary General and former Pakistan captain Mohammad Sarwar has said that the country has immense talent in kabaddi but they lack proper structure.

Sarwar is in Iran where he also witnessed Pakistan team finish as runners-up in the First World Beach Kabaddi Championship when they were conquered narrowly by hosts Iran in the final.

“There is an immense talent in Pakistan but unfortunately we lack structure which impedes our kabaddi growth,” Sarwar told Nukta from Iran.

“You know Iran had held one year camp but despite that and with less preparation our team did well and we had put Iran in deep trouble in the final. Our key raider Usman had got five stiches on his face when he got injured during our game against Kenya. He played for a few minutes against Iran in the final but was not able to continue and that damaged us a lot. Had Usman been fit we could have won the event,” said Sarwar, also secretary of the Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF).

Financial issues

Sarwar termed financial issues a main impediment in the way of the kabaddi growth in Pakistan.

“We don’t have enough funds. I have seen deeply the structure of both India and Iran and they have put huge money in kabaddi. Unlike in our system in which departments have recruited kabaddi players, in Iran the federation is so rich with the state and corporate sector assistance that it has offered lucrative contracts to top 80 players and they pick from this pool for forming national teams. It would not be wrong if you say that Iran has massive funds for kabaddi and we cannot imagine that,” Sarwar said.

“They have also a league in which they play their own players who earn a lot through this,” he added.

Kabaddi is a popular sport in rural areas of Pakistan. PSB

Sarwar disclosed that he had played a key role in Iran’s kabaddi foundation three decades ago.

“When I was captain of Pakistan team and we downed India, Iran had called me to assist them in kabaddi foundation and I served them in 1993-1994 as a coach. They looked after me very decently during my stay and they also want me to further assist them in coaching but I don’t have time as I have to handle Pakistan’s and Asian kabaddi,” Sarwar said.

Sarwar also aims to introduce kabaddi in educational institutions, citing it as the ideal breeding ground for nurturing young talent.

Pro Kabaddi League

PKF also plans to hold Pro Kabaddi League next Ramadan, which could prove to be a step in the right direction.

“We have signed a contract with Transmedia and we will go for the circle kabaddi league in Ramadan. And it will be followed by the Asian style kabaddi league after two to three months. Both leagues will carry foreign players also,” Sarwar revealed.

“League is very important and it brings money to your players and when they get money properly, they will keep training everywhere but if they don’t get this how they can focus on the sport,” Sarwar said.

Lahore and Faisalabad are expected to be the venues for the leagues.

PKF had held Super Kabaddi League a few years ago but it could not be maintained due to rift between PKF and the event management company.

Pakistan's kabaddi dominance is waning, while newcomers rise. Once a powerhouse alongside India, Pakistan's standards have slipped, allowing Iran to surge ahead in Asian-style kabaddi. South Korea's rapid progress and Kenya's impressive show in the recent event, where they challenged Iran, signal a shifting landscape. To maintain its sub-continental pride and prestige, Pakistan must revamp its strategy and invest in its kabaddi future, starting now.