By IANS,
Patna : Sixteen countries are participating in the inaugural Women’s World Kabaddi championship that began in the Bihar capital here Thursday.
The tournament was inaugurated by chief minister Nitish Kumar.
The four-day first international kabaddi extravaganza is being held at the newly built Patliputra Sports Complex here.
In his inaugural address, Nitish Kumar said that kabaddi is a popular game in rural area and it should be promoted by the central govenment. “We would do every possible thing to promote kabaddi in the state,” he said.
Kumar said that state government have chosen to organise kabaddi championship as a part of Bihar centenary year celebrations.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for the international players and also for the event. Besides, the organisers have formed a team of English-speaking guides to help players from various countries.
According to Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) president Janardan Singh Gehlot, teams from Korea, the US, Nepal, Mexico, Iran, Italy, Canada, Turkmenistan, Taipei, Malaysia, Oman and India are vying for the top honours.