By IANS
Chandigarh : A newly formed British Army kabaddi team will participate in a kabaddi festival in Punjab this month.
A British high commission spokesman said, in a statement issued here, the British kabaddi would play friendly matches with Indian teams in the kabaddi festival at Jalandhar, 170 km from here, Nov 17 and 18.
The team will also play friendly matches in Delhi and Mumbai.
The kabaddi festival attracts teams from India and south Asia but it will be the first appearance for the British players.
The British Army team was formed four months ago. The team, trained by former national kabaddi coach Ashok Das, has participated in kabaddi matches in Britain.
The British Army kabaddi team recently played with the Indian Army team, losing narrowly – 32 to 35 points.
“We are thrilled to be in India and playing here – the home of kabaddi. Sport of all kinds is important to both the armies, not only for recreation but also to develop team spirit, physical fitness and agility, which is so vital for successful soldering,” the British Army team manager, Captain Al Reid said.
“It is clear that kabaddi is set to take off in the British Army and there is now much enthusiasm for developing closer sporting links with the Indian Army.”