PATIALA: The opening matches of 4th Pearls World Cup Kabaddi-2013 today began here with full enthusiasm at YPS Stadium, where India drubbed America with 59-31 points and Spain defeated Kenya with 40-32 points. In Women category the host eves maintained their tradition to register opening victory by trouncing New Zealand with 44-12 points. The stadium was jam-packed with Kabaddi fans, who cheered for each and every raid during the match.
Chief Guest of opening matches, Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Rural Development and Panchayats Minister welcoming the thousands of Kabaddi fans informed that Punjab government has increased the sports budget by setting aside Rs. 142 crore in 2013-14 budget with a view to develop Healthy Sports Culture in the state.
4th Pearls World Cup Kabaddi-2013
Reiterating the commitment of CM Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy CM Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal to include Kabaddi into Olympics, Mr. Rakhra said that it was result of Punjab Government’s efforts that Kabaddi has regained its lost glory and it had already been included in the list of recognized games.
He said that in 2010 Punjab had initiated the World Cup Kabaddi with total prize money of Rs. 2 crore and in a short period of three years the cash prizes has been increased to Rs. 7 crore. He said that organizing World Kabaddi Cup annually has given a separate identity to this rural game in the world.
Mr. Sikander Singh Maluka, President Punjab Kabaddi Association and Education Minister, Punjab while addressing the jam packed stadium said that now Kabaddi was not a game of Punjab villages only as it has spread its wings to all continents of World. He said that we could guess the popularity of this rural game from the arrival of teams from various continents.