On the second day of International Kabaddi Tournament being organised by Punjab Government to mark the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev ji, India defeated England by scoring 54 points. The English player managed to score only 36 points. In an another match, America lost to Canada as Canada scored 53 points as compared to 26 points of Americans.Before the starting of the matches here at Guru Nanak Stadium, Medical Education and Research Minister Punjab OP Soni held introduction with the players and encouraged them. He also welcomed the players of all teams and said that besides marking the pious occasion of 550th birthday of Guru Nanak Dev ji, this International level championship has also been promoting the native game of Punjabis. He added that Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh is committed for the overall development of the state and this tournament would also help to promote the culture of Punjab on global level. He said that apart from bigger amounts of award money in various games, the Punjab Government has also providing jobs to players for representing the state on National and International level. He lauded the efforts of Sports Minister Punjab Mr. Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi for organizing the tournament and also appreciated the arrangements done by the Deputy Commissioner Mr. Shivdular Singh Dhillon. He congratulated team India for marvelously winning the match.
DC Shivdular Singh Dhillon said that by organising this world-level championship, the Punjab Government has taken a much needed step to promote the culture of the state. He added that nowdays the games of the children are only limited to the screens of mobiles, laptops and TVs and this tournament would help to take them out to grounds for connecting them to roots.In the first match, Vinay Khatri scored 10 points, Mal Singh and Navjot Jota 9-9, Jagmohan Makhi 7 and Kanwaljit scored 5 points while playing for team India. On the other side Gurdeep Singh Deepa clinched 10, Ranjit Singh 8 and Gurchetan scored 7 points for England.Police Commissioner Dr. Sukhchain Singh Gill, Director Sports Mr. Sanjay Popli, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mr. Vishesh Sarangal, Chairman Pargat Singh Dhunna, Vice President of Kabaddi Association and Tournament Director Tajinder Singh Midukhedha, Hockey Player and DCP Mr. Gaganajit Singh, DCP Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar, AIG (STF) Mr. Rachhpal Singh, SDM Mr. Shivraj Singh Ball, SDM Mrs. Alka Kalia, ADC P Jugraj Singh, ADC P Mr. Sandeep Malik, Deputy Director Mr. Kartar Singh, District Sports Officer Mr. Gurlal Singh Riar, Mr. Ashwani Pappu and others were also present there.