"The team will now travel on June 3, which will give them a day of rest before heading into the matches," Mohammad Sarwar PHOTO: AFP/FILE
KARACHI: The Pakistan kabaddi team’s tour to Iran has been delayed by a few days, after the national contingent failed to get the requisite tickets for travelling in order to participate in the series.
Both teams are scheduled to play a series of three matches from June 5 to 8 at different venues in Iran.
The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) will be sending a 17-member contingent, which includes 14 athletes and three officials.
“Pakistan’s departure has been delayed as weren’t able to get the tickets on time,” PKF Secretary Mohammad Sarwar told The Express Tribune.
“The team will now travel on June 3, which will give them a day of rest before heading into the matches. The series will be played in a weight-restricted category and we’re sending a full-strength team because Iran have improved a lot over the years.”
The team will play its first game against the hosts on June 5 in Tehran, followed by their matches in Mashhad on June 7 and Ahwaz on June 8.
Nasir Ali will lead the team, while Wajid Ali has been named his deputy for the tour. Both players have attracted successful bids for the inaugural Pro-Kabaddi League to be played in India in July-August.
Sarwar added that it is a good sign that out of the six players who were auctioned for the Kabaddi League, four of them received successful bids, while two are on standby.
“It’s a positive sign for Pakistan that Nasir, Wajid, Waseem Sajjad and Atif Waheed have already been bought, while two others are on standby and hopefully, they will also become part of this glittering event,” he concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 31st, 2014.
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