Kabaddi World Cup: A disappointing bronze for Pakistan

Officials disappointed despite a podium finish in Kabaddi World Cup.

KARACHI: A consolation third-place finish was what Pakistan’s fancied Kabaddi squad had to be content with at the World Cup that came with a 62-22 win over Italy on Sunday night Favourites India, meanwhile, lifted the trophy in a one-sided final, beating Canada 59-25, to bag the INR 2m prize-money.

Despite the third-place finish, the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Secretary Muhammad Sarwar was disappointed with the team’s show.

“Beating Italy isn’t a big deal and I’m very disappointed that we lost in the semis,” Sarwar told The Express Tribune. “Losing to Canada is a alarming. We were aiming for gold – third place is just not good enough.”

Meanwhile, Indian Kabaddi Federation Secretary Sikandar Singh Maloka has confirmed that the federation was looking forward to a bilateral series against Pakistan next year.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2011.