Asian Kabaddi Championship: Pakistan worried after teams fail to respond

Hosts afraid Asian Kabaddi Championship might be postponed.

KARACHI: The country’s federation has expressed concerns regarding hosting the Asian Kabaddi Championship in December after the 12 teams, which were extended invitation, failed to confirm their participation.

The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) said that it is afraid that the event might get postponed to next year after the countries expressed security concerns.

According to the PKF Secretary Muhammad Sarwar, the Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF) awarded hosting rights to Pakistan. However, teams are reluctant to tour and Sarwar said the tournament is likely to get postponed.

“We might not have the championship this year,” Sarwar told The Express Tribune. “We invited the teams a month ago but they haven’t responded because of security concerns. They’re taking time to assess the situation here.” Sarwar added that a final decision will be taken in the AKF meeting next month.

Meanwhile, Pakistan have shortlisted 24 players who will take part in the World Championship next month in India.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2011.