The Kabbadi World Cup started in Lahore on Sunday 9th of February. Hosts Pakistan and neighbors Iran started their World Cup campaign with wins. Pakistan dominated Canada 64-13 in the opening match. Iran overwhelmed Sierra Leone 60-19 in the second match of the day.
Teams from 10 nations are participating in this World Cup. The inauguration ceremony was a colorful one. A local band Seismic Tremors performed at the opening ceremony. Chief Minister of Punjab Sardar Usman Buzdar attended the ceremony and said that ” it was a great honor for Punjab Government to host an International event for the first time”.
All the teams were welcomed by Punjab Assembly’s speaker Chaudhry Pervez Elahi. He recalled that 42 years ago it was his brother Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi who laid the foundations of the sport in the country.
Sports Minister of Punjab Rai Taimur Bhatti said that the hosting of Kabbadi World Cup shows and sends out a image and message from Pakistan that Pakistan is a safe country.