CHANDIGARH, OCT 30 :The Punjab Government is conducting an Indo-Pak Kabaddi five-Test match series at different venues of the state from November 5 to 14. According to Principal Secretary to Government of Punjab, Department of Sports and Youth Services RPS Pawar the kabaddi test series is being organised to commemorate the Tercentenary Celebrations of Guruta Gaddi Diwas of Sri Guru Granth Saheb Ji.
Mr Pawar said that a 24-member Pakistan team, including eight officials, has already arrived and at present playing Sri Hazoor Saheb (Nanded), Maharashtra.
The first Test will be played at Mansoorpur (Mukerian) on November 5. Besides the test matches, an exhibition match will also be played at Nakodar on November 13.
The Pakistan kabaddi team has already arrived in India on an invitation of the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, especially for the Tercentenary Celebrations of Guruta Gaddi Diwas of Sri Guru Granth Saheb Ji. The Indo-Pak kabaddi series has been made possible due to an invitation extended by Mr Parkash Singh Badal.
The Chief Minister felt that the organization of the Kabaddi Test Series would not only strengthen friendly ties and cordial relations with the neighboring country, it would also give an opportunity to the people of India and Punjab to witness spectacular performance by kabaddi players from both the countries.
Mr K.J.S Cheema, Special Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, said that the the final match of the series would be played at the Sports Stadium in Bathinda on November 14. Member of Parliament and President Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) Sukhbir Singh Badal will be the chief guest and would distribute cash prize of Rs. 4.00 lakh to the winners of the series and Rs 3.00 lakh to the runners-up team.
Member of Parliament Paramjit Kaur Gulshan will be the guest of honour on this occasion.
The Punjab Government will treat the Pakistan players and officials accompanying them as state guests during their stay in Punjab. The State Government will make arrangements for their stay, security, food and transportation.
Sikander Singh Malooka, President Bathinda District Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and President Punjab Kabaddi Association, released the itinerary of the Indo-Pak kabaddi series.
Sports Director Padam Shree Pargat Singh said that India and Pakistan teams would return to Punjab on November 3 after playing at Sri Hazoor Saheb (Nanded), Maharashtra.
The complete fixtures are: Nov 5: First Test at Mansoorpur (Mukerian). Nov 9: Second Test at Gopalpura (Majitha). Nov 10: Third Test at Ludhiana. Nov 12: Fourth Test at Muktsar. Nov 13: Exhibition match at Nakodar. Nov 14: Fifth Test at Bathinda.