Pakistani players unlikely for Mumbai leg of kabaddi league
MUMBAI: The participation of Pakistani players in the Mumbai leg of the inaugural Pro-Kabaddi League appears to have been enveloped under a cloud of uncertainty.
Three Pakistani players Atif Waheed, Wajid Ali and Waseen Sajjad are slated to play in the league, however, are yet to make an appearance.
According to a senior official of the Pro-Kabaddi League, the players are unlikely to feature in any of the six matches that will be played in Mumbai over the next three days.
According to the official, the political constraints of Mumbai have left the players wary.
“Everybody knows the atmosphere in Mumbai for Pakistani players in the past. The players are wary of playing in the city,” he said.
Considering the delay in getting the visas and the risk of controversy, the Pakistani contingent is likely to skip the Mumbai leg completely, the official added.
Two of the travelling Pakistani players, Wajeed Ali and Atif Waheed, play for the Telugu Titans, who are slated to play their opening match in Mumbai on Monday.
However, none of the organisers could verify the duo’s arrival. Telugu Titans’ spokesperson too was unaware of their players’ minutes each.
Teams will get one point when a player is out either after being touched by a raider or if the raider is caught by the anti-raiders. In case all players of a team get out, the opponent team is given a Lona, that is, two extra points. Matches will be played in
whereabouts.
Officials from the Indian Kabaddi Federation and the ProLeague have refused to come on record over the status of the visiting Mumbai till July 29 before the caravan will shift to Kolkata (July 30-Aug 2), Delhi (Aug 3-6), Patna (Aug 7-10), Pune (Aug 12-15), Vizag (Aug 16-19) and Bengaluru (Aug 24-27).
The semis will be played on August 29 and the final on Aug 31. Pakistani contingent despite repeated queries.
RESULTS U Mumbai beat Jaipur Pink Panthers 45-31, Bengaluru Bulls beat Dabang Delhi 47-28