Catch the latest trend and dive into the world of kabaddi

Sport360 staff 17:06 24/06/2018
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  • Rising sport: Kabaddi is growing in popularity

    While all attention this summer has been on the FIFA World Cup, another sport has been growing in popularity, and has finally arrived in Dubai.

    Kabaddi as a sport has been deeply entwined with Asian culture and history and has seen a strong resurgence in the last four years, as an international sport thanks to the rising popularity of the VIVO ProKabaddi League in India.

    The Kabaddi World Cup in 2016 saw participation from 12 countries and was broadcast in more than 120 countries, introducing the sport to a new wave of fans. As part of its mission to grow, the International Kabaddi Federation and Star India Pvt. Ltd, with the support of the Dubai Sports Council, have organised the first ever Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018.

    The nine-day sporting event will see participation from India, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Iran, Argentina and Kenya. This is one of the few times that an international sporting spectacle will see India and Pakistan lock horns in a Kabaddi showdown of rivals.

    Anupam Goswami, the League Commissioner, said: “The success of any sport is competition and there is huge appetite for this sport. Dubai is a fantastic place for it to take off and we’re on the road to a very successful event. This is a big test for the sport of Kabaddi, especially with the football World Cup [on going]. We’re also in talks, with our friends at the Dubai Sports Council, to host a 2019 World Cup in Dubai.”

    The six participating teams are divided into two groups of three. The teams in each group play two matches against every other team in their respective group, with the top two teams from both groups qualifying for the semi-finals. The two teams to emerge as victors from the semi-finals will play each other in the final.

    Fans of the sport can experience the best of Kabaddi live at the Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018 at the Al Wasl Sports Club, free of charge.

    What: Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018
    Where: Al Wasl Sports Club.
    When: 22nd June – 30th June
    Contact: www.kabaddimasters.com

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