Pakistan official says the event was a step towards sports diplomacy. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
As Pakistan lost to India in the Kabaddi World Cup 2013 final at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana on Saturday, Pakistan’s representative and Punjab Minister for Sports and Education Rana Mashood Ahmed Khan said the event was a step towards sports diplomacy.
“We want to improve relations through sports. With this event, we want to say that dialogue and not war is the way to progress,” he said.
All through the tournament Pakistani wrestlers enjoyed a winning-streak – until the final game. They mauled the US 51-33 in the semi-final and won all of their five Pool B matches to earn a place as a top team against India.
The Indians had a golden run, capping it off with a win against Pakistan and lifting the World Cup for the fourth time.
Pakistan were slotted with England, Canada, Denmark, Scotland and Sierra Leone in their group, while India competed their pool matches with the US, Iran, Kenya, Argentina and Spain in group A.
“It was a very well-contested match,” Khan told The Express Tribune from Ludhiana. “Our team performed really well, but there was a certain pressure from the home-crowd.”
Pakistan lost the final to India 48-39.
“We are satisfied with the performance. In fact with the way Pakistan played people commented that we can win the World Cup next year. So far our team showed commitment, hard work and dedication towards the sport,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 15th, 2013.
Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that Pakistan lost the final to India 45-41. The error is regretted.
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I saw the mach pakistani team play exlant I love the game.they play so good
With the help of China ? What happened to itself alone !
Congratulations to all participants!!!
I know this Pakistani team deserves to win the title, India must have match-fixed it using its enormous money. India must be stopped in its track with the help of China.
Loosing forth time to India in the World Cup Now Pakistan is planning to host the World Cup by giving security to Indian players , what about its own player's security ?
Well done India.....and well tried Pakistan. The real winner here was sports and frendship.
Pakistan wants to host the next world cup to get the home advantage and Indian players would be provided fool proof security by jihadis who would form a ring around them with explosive filled jackets.