Jajpur (Odisha), June 14:
A total of 24 teams, including seven of women, are participating in the 57th national Kabaddi tournament that got off to a colourful start at Khanditar in Odisha’s Jajpur district last evening.
The four-day-long men’s and women’s day and night tournament is being hoisted by the Jajpur Kabaddi Association, affiliated to Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI).
Keeping its tradition alive as the frontrunner in promoting the popular country game Kabaddi in the state and beyond, JKA has been organising such Kabaddi tournament for the last 56 years.
IN all 24 teams, including 17 men’s and seven women’s teams, from across the country are participating in the tournament.
The day and night competitions are being conducted on the stadium grounds from 8am to 12 pm and 3pm to 9 pm.
In the national-level event, veteran teams, such as Ashok Sangha, Kolkata, SAI Hostel Gujurat, CISF Hariyana, Chattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai Police, Utaranchal, Kolkata Police and Pune Police are participating.
Besides, 15 other teams, including seven women from across the state, are participating in the state-level event.
About 350 players from the state and outside, along with 68 coaches and members of various Kabaddi associations, are attending the national sports event.
“Elaborate arrangements have been made to make the national event a success. We are also watchful on security matter and made preparations to meet any eventuality so that the players should not be affected and the event will go on smoothly without any unsavory incidents,” said Nigamananda Mohanty, vice president of JKA.
“We have mobilised hundreds of our volunteers to oversee safety, sanitation and comfort of all the participating players and officials round the clock. Elaborate arrangements have also been made to ensure uninterrupted supply of power and water to the places where the team members and other guests will stay,” said Rabindra Kumar Prusty, secretary of JKA.
As many as 28 officials have been deployed from AKFI for smooth conduct of the matches. This apart, national observers are maintaining strict vigil to ensure that the guidelines framed by AKFI are followed. (PTI)
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