16 countries to participate in Kabaddi World Cup

Chandigarh: Sixteen countries will vie for top honours in the annual Kabaddi World Cup which will be held across the state, starting December 1. After the large-scale doping offences witnessed last year, the tournament, organised by the Punjab Government, this time will witness strict checks to make the event drug free.

"16 countries are participating in the third World Cup kabaddi tournament which shows that kabaddi is getting popular in other countries," Punjab Deputy Chief Minister, Sukhbir Singh Badal told reporters here on Tuesday.

He further said that 10 participating teams does not include a single player of Indian origin. In earlier World Cups, it was observed that players of Indian origin represented several countries. Among major countries which are participating are Afghanistan, Argentina, Canada, Denmark, England, Iran, Italy, Kenya, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Scotland, Sierra Leon.

Among major countries which are participating are Afghanistan, Argentina, Canada, Denmark, England, Iran, Italy, Kenya, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Scotland, Sierra Leon.

The winners in the men's section will get Rs 2 crore as prize purse, while the runners-up side will get richer by Rs 1 crore. The third-placed team will be awarded Rs 51 lakh. In the women's competition, the winning team will get Rs 51 lakh, while the second and third places sides will get Rs 31 and 21 lakhs respectively.

The Punjab government will pay Rs 15 lakhs to teams which are coming from far away places like Argentina, Canada, USA and all other teams will get a guarantee money of Rs 10 lakh, Badal said.

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