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Patiala, The escalating tension between India and Pakistan may create fissures between the state BJP and the SAD. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal wants to hold the semifinals of the fifth edition of the World Kabaddi Cup in Pakistan’s Punjab province. This has irked the state BJP leadership that wants the state government to reconsider the matter.
Sources in the Sports Department said the new dates for the World Cup had been finalised. The tourney would now be held from December 6-20 with the semifinals being played in Pakistan. The winners in the men’ category would get Rs 2 crore and those in the women’s team Rs 1 crore.
Talking to The Tribune, state BJP president Kamal Sharma said the SAD must “rethink” on Pakistan’s participation. “ In the prevailing circumstances, with intense shelling on the borders, It will not be a good idea to hold the event in Pakistan. It will be better if Pakistan is kept out,” Sharma said.
Disagreeing with him, Education Minister DS Cheema said that no sports events should be interrupted despite the political situation.
On August 30, the Deputy CM, while finalising the schedule for the World Kabaddi Cup (November 29 to December), had announced that the semifinals would be played in the Punjab province of Pakistan. However, the dates have now been rescheduled. Men’s teams from Pakistan, Argentina, the US, the UK, Scotland, Canada, Spain, Kenya and Denmark will be participating in the tourney. In the women’s category, teams from India, Pakistan, New Zealand, Kenya, the UK, Malaysia, Denmark and Mexico will participate.
When contacted, the Director, Sports, Tejinder Dhaliwal, said the Deputy Chief Minister would take the final decision whether or not to invite the Pakistan teams.Efforts to contact Sukhbir proved futile. His personal staff said he was in Haryana to canvass for SAD and INLD candidates in view of the assembly elections there.
