Super Kabaddi League: Pakistan captain excited but in the dark
Muhammad Irfan claims federation is yet to give the players details about upcoming event
PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI:
Pakistan captain and raider Muhammad Irfan feels the touted Super Kabaddi League (SKL) will benefit all the players in the country but claimed the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) is yet to speak to the athletes about the event.
The league will be featuring six teams representing six different cities, with the PKF collaborating with Strawberry Sports management.
Originally the programme was scheduled to take place in the first half of 2017 but still the dates are yet to be confirmed. The organisers have now announced that they will be releasing an official song for the event next month, which has left the players a bit perplexed considering they are still pretty much in the dark about the event.
“It is all very exciting,” Irfan told The Express Tribune. “It will definitely benefit the players and the youth but I haven’t been given any details about the event from the federation yet. However, it sounds like a great plan, from what I have heard so far, as long as it is organised in a proper manner.”
The six franchises of the league have been already been bought by different owners so far.
Irfan — who has played in Canada for a Vancouver franchise called the Canadian Punjab Tigers and may also be travelling to the UK next month for a tournament — has prior experience of playing in such franchise-based leagues and hopes the SKL is just as professional as its foreign counterparts.
“I have been playing in different leagues abroad and it is all very professional,” said Irfan, who has also played in leagues in India and Iran. “I may go to England but I’m still waiting for confirmation.”
Irfan was quick to clear where his priorities lie. “Even if I go and we are told that the PKL is taking place, I’ll make sure that I participate in my country,” he said. “It is the responsibility of the players to ensure that a local event is a success.”
With his vast international experience, Irfan believes Pakistan have their work cut out if they are to organise a successful tournament.
“The leagues abroad are all organised very well, they are incredibly professional, so I feel we’ll need to emulate the same environment and the same incentives,” he said. “It is hard word but the kabaddi community can reap great rewards in the long term if we pull this off.”
Pakistan captain and raider Muhammad Irfan feels the touted Super Kabaddi League (SKL) will benefit all the players in the country but claimed the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) is yet to speak to the athletes about the event.
The league will be featuring six teams representing six different cities, with the PKF collaborating with Strawberry Sports management.
Originally the programme was scheduled to take place in the first half of 2017 but still the dates are yet to be confirmed. The organisers have now announced that they will be releasing an official song for the event next month, which has left the players a bit perplexed considering they are still pretty much in the dark about the event.
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“It is all very exciting,” Irfan told The Express Tribune. “It will definitely benefit the players and the youth but I haven’t been given any details about the event from the federation yet. However, it sounds like a great plan, from what I have heard so far, as long as it is organised in a proper manner.”
The six franchises of the league have been already been bought by different owners so far.
Irfan — who has played in Canada for a Vancouver franchise called the Canadian Punjab Tigers and may also be travelling to the UK next month for a tournament — has prior experience of playing in such franchise-based leagues and hopes the SKL is just as professional as its foreign counterparts.
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“I have been playing in different leagues abroad and it is all very professional,” said Irfan, who has also played in leagues in India and Iran. “I may go to England but I’m still waiting for confirmation.”
Irfan was quick to clear where his priorities lie. “Even if I go and we are told that the PKL is taking place, I’ll make sure that I participate in my country,” he said. “It is the responsibility of the players to ensure that a local event is a success.”
With his vast international experience, Irfan believes Pakistan have their work cut out if they are to organise a successful tournament.
“The leagues abroad are all organised very well, they are incredibly professional, so I feel we’ll need to emulate the same environment and the same incentives,” he said. “It is hard word but the kabaddi community can reap great rewards in the long term if we pull this off.”