Technical committee formed: Pakistan kabaddi players expect no justice

The team had registered grievances after losing their World Cup final controversially

KARACHI: Despite a technical committee having been formed to look into the allegation of unfair play during the final of the 5th Kabaddi World Cup, which hosts India won 45-42, the Pakistan kabaddi players are scarcely hopeful of receiving justice.

The visitors complained against biased umpiring during crucial moments, and also protested against time being called off early and felt that several minutes of play were left when India started celebrating.

Such was the disappointment that Pakistan threatened not to participate in next year’s World Cup if held in India.

The national team was due to return to Lahore on Sunday, but the organisers requested them to stay till Monday and form a technical committee to review their complaints.

Fair final preferred over committee: team member

Team member and former skipper Musharraf Javed said that while the players and officials know there will be no outcome in their favour, the team still stayed back out of goodwill.

“If we were to be given justice during the World Cup, then it should have been given in the final,” Javed told The Express Tribune.

“When they didn’t opt for a fair approach in a final, how can they now be expected to decide anything that goes against them? None of the players have any hopes that our complaints will be addressed.”

Musharraf added that Indian players were openly using oil and balm, which is a prohibited practice, but the referees turned a blind eye intentionally and it was something that was witnessed in the 2013 World Cup as well.

The organisers requested Pakistan coach Ghulam Abbas, manager Waqas Akbar and Protocol Officer Usman Ghani to appear in front of the technical committee so that a decision can be made.

“People need to realise that this level of open cheating will only harm the reputation of kabaddi,” added Javed.

“When two teams play, there’s always a winner and a loser, but it’s the quality of play that matters the most.

“Pakistan have improved a lot in the last few years, and I can confidently say that we can beat India now if the World Cup is staged at a neutral venue.”

 

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