In order to compete in the Junior Kabaddi World Cup 2023, which will take place in Urmia, Iran, from February 26 to March 6, the Pakistan junior Kabaddi team will depart for Iran on February 24. In the prior competition, which Iran also hosted on Kish Island in 2019, Pakistan won the bronze medal.
In the nine-day Asian-style competition, up to 18 teams—Iran, Pakistan, India, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Syria, Kenya, Uganda, Germany, Estonia, and Azerbaijan—will compete for the top prize.
Mohammad Sarwar, the secretary of the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF), told that they have some outstanding players and that they are hoping for a good outcome.
“We conducted National Junior Championship and we found some fighting boys. This is our future and I am very much optimistic that the brigade will deliver at the world level,” said Sarwar, who will serve as a technical delegate during the event.
However, he acknowledged that flight travel is highly pricey because the Pakistani rupee has lost strength against the US dollar.
“The cost of flying has greatly increased. The PKF is managing the tour on its own, and we are not receiving assistance from anybody “said Sarwar, who is the Asian Kabaddi Federation’s secretary (AKF).
Coach Rahat Ali and two referees will accompany the 12-player Pakistani team, the composition of which has not yet been revealed.
According to Sarwar, the managers meeting will take place on February 26 and include a draw.
14 teams competed in the first Junior World Kabaddi Championship, which took place in November 2019 on Kish Island in Iran. To win the title, Iran overcame Kenya 42–22 in the championship game.
