PKF hails support of PSB, PST for Kabaddi
By Sajjad Sohail

ISLAMABAD—Secretary, Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF), Mohammad Sarwar pledged Monday that Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and Pakistan Sports Trust (PST) were providing their full support to PKF to overcome the financial and technically problems that federation was facing for last many years.
He was talking to “Daily Mail” during an exclusive sitting here at his office in the premises of Jinnah Stadium, Pakistan Sports Complex. Mohammad Sarwar, who is also secretary of Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF), added that PKF was taking special measures for the promotion of the game at domestic level.
“We succeeded to include circle style kabaddi in the Asian Games and it will be help to revive the traditional kabaddi in the country. Now, Pakistan will fight for two gold medals in the regional kabaddi fixtures of the Asian countries. Pakistan is on the second spot in the Asian ranking, as we had won the silvers medals in the South Asian Games and Asian Games, which were held at Colombo and Doha respectively in 2006. Our traditional foes India claimed gold medals in the both competition, as the Asian style kabaddi has been played in India for last 10 decades while Pakistan adopted this style around 15 years before and we have to covert the players from circle to Asian style.
Despite of this fact Pakistan always proved a hard nut for the India . We also defeated twice in the Asian style kabaddi to India , “he elaborated. Mohammad Sarwar hoped that Pakistan would produce acceptable results the forth coming 2nd Indoor Asian Games 2007, scheduled to be commenced from October 24 in Macao this month. “The training camp is in progress despite of Ramadan. Boys start training after Namaz-a-Taravi at Laquait Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex, “he further added that PSB was providing all crunch facilities to the players during the camp. He said that Chief Minister of Punjab Ch.Pervez Elahi, who is also president of the federation, was fully supporting to ensure the participation of the team in the international competitions.
He disclosed while responding to a question that Pakistan would hold Asian Kabaddi Championship in 2008 at Islamabad . “Federation is also making its best efforts to build a kabaddi stadium in Islamabad . CM Punjab has assured us for the full cooperation in this regard, “he disclosed that the land had also been located for the kabaddi stadium in Islamabad .
While appreciating the support of different department who are playing their role to uplift the game at domestic level, Mohammad Sarwar said that Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Navy, WAPDA and Railway played important role in the promotion of Kabaddi in the country.
“Also, these departments are providing job opportunities to the kabaddi players. We are expecting government will give more incentives to the players. However, PSB enhanced the annual grant of PKF. PST also provided its support to PKF for holding coaching clinics and different courses, “he observed.
Responding to a question Mohammad Sarwar said, “Unfortunately, there is not a single mate in Pakistan to hold national event of circle Kabaddi, as the national championship would be played at Rahim Yar Khan this month. However, head of the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Lt. Col ® Salahuddin and Director Operation Pakistan Sports Trust (PST) Lt. Col Mohammad Yahya has promised to provide mates to federation. Both organization helped PKF in past to facilitate the players and hold the international coaching clinics and courses.
However, PKF is making its hectic efforts to accelerate the standard of the game at grass root level. WE will set an academy at Chichawatni to polish the available talent. We will also select the players for the remote areas of the country, “former skipper of the national kabaddi team concluded.