Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* Deputy Chief Minister enhances cash prizes for women players
* Kabaddi matches to be played in 14 districts
Chandigarh, July 3 – Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal today announced that 6thKabaddi World Cup-2015 will be organised from November 15 to 28 at 14 stadia in the state. He has also approved to enhance the cash prize for women category from existing Rs. 1.00 crore to Rs. 1.50 crore.
This was informed by Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds sports portfolio, while presiding over a meeting of organising committee of Kabaddi World Cup along with the representatives of Punjab Kabaddi Association, Punjab Olympic Association and senior state officials. Approving the schedule of fortnight long sporting extravaganza Mr Badal said Kabaddi matches would be played at 14 different stadiums in 14 districts.
During this mega event 11 national teams in mens’ section would compete for the title, comprising first cash prize of Rs. 2.00 crore, following by Rs. 1.00 crore to runner up. In womens’ category winners would get Rs. 1.50 crore and runner up Rs. 75 lakh. Mentionably, in the 5th Kabaddi World Cup held last year only 9 men and 8 women teams from 12 countries participated in this mega event.
Deputy CM asked the officers to ensure elaborate security arrangements, transportation, traffic and accommodation for the participating teams. To ensure the event doping free, Rs. 20 lakh has also been sanctioned for dope tests and National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) has been requested to conduct random tests during the tournament. Besides, an anti dope committee has also been formed to ensure that the players should refrain from drugs.
Expressing confidence that hosting of world Kabbadi cups had put this game to another higher orbit of glory, Mr Badal said that successful organizations of 5 editions of World Cup Kabbadi had encouraged the organization of World Kabbadi Leagues at national and international level which increased its fans and followers across the boundaries. Highlighting the initiatives taken by Punjab government to promote sports, Mr. Badal said that Punjab is the first state in the country to create dedicated sports fund.
Prominent among others present in the meeting included MP Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Rural Development Minister Sikander Singh Maluka, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Pawan Kumar Tinu, Principal secretary to Chief Minister S.K. Sandhu, Principal secretary to Deputy CM P.S. Aujla, Principal secretary Finance D.P. Reddy, Principal Secretary Housing Vishavjit Khanna, Secretary Industry Anirudh Tiwari, Secretary Sports Ashok Gupta, ADGP Dinkar Gupta, IG Balbir Kumar Bawa, Special Principal secretaries to Deputy CM Ajay Mahajan and Rahul Tiwari and Secretary General Punjab Olympic Association Raja KS Sidhu.
