Dubai all set to host unique Kabaddi event

First-ever international tournament to be held at Al Twar indoor hall on May 5

Dubai is all set to play host to a unique kabaddi tournament with the hosting of the inaugural All India Kabaddi Festival in the first week of May.

The daylong tournament is an initiative from three Dubai-based kabaddi clubs — Team Pathikal, Winners Vedakam and Pravdha Kuttikol — and will be held at the Al Twar indoor hall in Al Ghusais on May 5.

Kabaddi is a contact team sport that originated in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

Two teams compete, each occupying its own half of the court while taking turns sending a raider into the other team’s half and earn points.

The tournament in May will feature players from Dubai with each of the 24 participating teams given permission to draft a maximum two international players.

“We have been involved with three clubs in Dubai since the past few months and we thought the best way to take this game to the next level was by organising an international competition,” Aghilraj M Joint Secretary, Team Pathikal, said.

“Since the past few months we have been meeting regularly thrice a week so that we could rise to a certain level and be best prepared for an international tournament that will have some of the best players coming from India,” he added.

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