Sukhjap Singh, a member of the New Zealand Sikh Sports Complex (NZSSC) and part of the organizing committee of the 2023 Kabaddi World Cup said the committee members are preparing to welcome around 100 athletes to Auckland to compete in the sport’s first global competition hosted by New Zealand in nine years. The last such tournament was held in 2014, with organizers seeking to make it an annual affair going forward.
“This time, the New Zealand Sikh Stadium is ready, and the tournament will be held here (behind the Takanini Gurdwara) over two days – 18 and 19 November,” he said.
Kabaddi is a contact sport that has origins in the Indian subcontinent. The sport has two styles of play: a “standard style” typically played indoors and a “circle style” played outdoors. Teams aim to score points by raiding their opponent’s court, touching as many defense players as possible in a single breath and returning to one’s court without getting caught.
The sport has seen something of a resurgence in India with the launch of the Pro Kabaddi League (standard style), which will celebrate its 10th edition in December. The sport has also been a part of the Asian Games since 1990.
The upcoming New Zealand Kabaddi World Cup will be played in the circle style, with several famous players from India being the star attraction. Some prominent ones are Balvir Singh, Mangat Singh, Gurbir Singh, Friyad Ali, Inderjit Kalsian and Ubdaid Ullah.
In addition to host New Zealand, teams from Pakistan, Canada, Australia and the United States will also be competing for the trophy. Every international team is fielding 12 players each, with a few officials and support staff accompanying them.
The two-day event will include mini local tournaments involving other sports such as kabaddi, football, volleyball, sprints, basketball, hockey and netball that will be held on 18 November, with the Kabaddi World Cup round robin matches and knockout games all scheduled on the Sunday.
The two-day event will include mini local tournaments involving other sports such as kabaddi, football, volleyball, sprints, basketball, hockey and netball that will be held on 18 November, with the Kabaddi World Cup round robin matches and knockout games all scheduled on the Sunday.
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