Approving a budget of Rs. 17 crore for hosting of 5th World Cup Kabaddi from December 6 to December 20, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal gave his final touches to organize glittering and gala ceremonies during opening and concluding of this mega event in which 17 national teams including 9 men and 8 women teams from 12 countries would contest for the title.In a meeting held late last night it was also resolved that Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal would be the chief guest of opening and closing ceremonies and Deputy Chief Minister will preside over the functions.Giving details of arrangements Director Sports Mr T.S. Dhaliwal said that in the men’s event 9 teams from India, USA, England, Pakistan, Spain, Denmark, Iran, Argentina and Australia, while 8 women teams from India, USA, England, Denmark, Pakistan, New Zealand, Mexico and Azerbaijan captivate the kabbadi lovers with their heart stopping raids and defences.Keeping in view the weather conditions Deputy CM asked the organizers to hold the timings of kabbadi matches during day time. It was resolved that both opening and closing ceremony at Ceremony at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium Jalandhar and Village Badal stadium in Sri Muktsar Sahib respectively would be held at 6:00 PM whereas all matches except men’s final would be played during noon. Men’s final would be held at village Badal along with closing ceremony while Women’s final and contests for third and fourth positions in both sections would be played at sports stadium Barnala on December 19. The semifinals of both Men and Women would be organized at Kabaddi Stadium, Dirba in Sangrur district.
It is mentioned here that league matches would be organized at Government College Stadium Gurdaspur, Multipurpose Stadium Dhudike, Moga, Nehru Stadium Rupnagar, A.S. College Stadium Khanna, Ludhiana and Sports Stadium Chohla Sahib, Tarntaran from December 7 to December 11. After a rest on December 12 other matches from December 13 to December 17 would be played at Guru Nanak stadium Sultanpur Lodhi, Outdoor Stadium Hoshiarpur, Government Ripudaman College stadium Nabha, Patiala, Sports Stadium Jalalabad, Fazilka and Sports Stadium Mehta, Amritsar. It was also decided that Ministers from SAD and BJP will preside over the kabbadi matches to be held in various districts.