Kabaddi league to have exhibition matches for women

PKF supremo Sarwar is keen to involve ladies in inaugural spectacle

KARACHI: Women kabaddi players could also get a taste of the inaugural Super Kabaddi League, if Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) President Muhammad Sarwar is to be believed.

Less than two years removed from its inception in the country, the women's game isn't yet at a stage where it could be included in the competition itself, but Sarwar has vowed to put together a few exhibition matches for women in the upcoming league.

"We'll try to give exposure to our women too by organising some exhibition matches for them in the league," Sarwar told The Express Tribune.

"The women's game is still in its rudimentary stages and is played at a different level than men's so it will take some time before we consider a separate league for them+. In the meantime, we will set up some exhibition matches to boost the confidence of our female athletes."

Strawberry Sports Management CEO Haider Ali Daud, whose company owns the Super Kabaddi League, was however slightly skeptical of the idea as most women players in Pakistan are used to playing in closed venues whereas the league will be played in an open arena.

Often viewed as a regional sport, kabaddi has garnered some international interest lately, but Daud says his focus with the Super League is to cultivate the local game rather than look elsewhere.

"There are countries like Canada, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka who have showed interest in the league. In fact, there are 35 countries who play this sport, but our goal is to focus on our national players and our grass-root level kabaddi," said Daud.

"We want to project local players; the involvement of foreign players is not a major concern for us [right now]."

So far, the league has managed to sell three franchises — Sialkot, Islamabad and Gujrat — with three more to be sold later on.

Following the finalising of franchises and drafts, the league will kick off on May 16 at Punjab Stadium.