‘World Cup won’t be same without Pakistan’

PKF Secretary rues non-issuance of visas by India; files complaint with IKF

KARACHI: With Pakistan not competing at the Kabaddi World Cup in India next week due to the non-issuance of visas for the team, Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Secretary Muhammad Sarwar questions the authenticity of the tournament without one of its main contenders in addition to appealing to the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) to look into the matter.

Pakistan, who recently defeated India at the Asian Beach Games last week and are the reigning Asian champions, were tipped to at least reach the final if not win the mega event.





But due to the non-issuance of visas by the Indian embassy, the Pakistan contingent will not be able to travel to Gujrat for the event which starts from October 7 and Sarwar is disappointed that politics is allowed to interfere with sports.

“It is a major question mark on the tournament if Pakistan is not competing,” said Sarwar, who is also the secretary of the IKF. “Pakistan and India are the strongest teams at the World Cup and it is sad that because of strained relations between the two countries, we have to suffer.”



Sarwar further revealed that the players, who had been training intensely for the World Cup and were looking forward to overcoming arch-rivals India in their own backyard, were also extremely disappointed with this unfortunate turn of events.

“It would have been a great experience to face India on their home ground,” he said. “Our players won the Asia Kabaddi Cup at home and then defeated India at a neutral venue in Vietnam, so winning the World Cup in India would’ve been a great feat.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2016.

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