Archive For The “Sports” Category
Thiruvananthapuram, April 3 : Legendary India athlete P.T.Usha on Friday said the video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was well timed and has given all a big boost.
"The PM was seeking our help and support to go public to spread the awareness of the need of following the guidelines that has been issued to curb the spread of it.
All of us did say that they are already doing it and he said that it should continue. All agreed to it," said Usha often referred to as the "golden girl'.
When her time came, Usha said that she was unable to speak to the PM as at that time there arose connectivity issues.
In the interaction, Usha was one of the 49 sports personalities who were present at various locations.
--IANS
sg/sdr/.
Source: IANS
"The PM was seeking our help and support to go public to spread the awareness of the need of following the guidelines that has been issued to curb the spread of it.
All of us did say that they are already doing it and he said that it should continue. All agreed to it," said Usha often referred to as the "golden girl'.
When her time came, Usha said that she was unable to speak to the PM as at that time there arose connectivity issues.
In the interaction, Usha was one of the 49 sports personalities who were present at various locations.
--IANS
sg/sdr/.
Source: IANS
New Delhi, March 31 : The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) is considering releasing financial grants to those National Sports Federations (NSF) and State Olympic Associatons (SOA) who are yet to submit documents for the same.
IOA president Narinder Batra said in a letter addressed to Presidents and Secretary Generals of all NSFs and SOAs that he is "requesting and seeking approval of IOA EC (Executive Committee), Chair (and) Members Finance Committee, Secretary General and Treasurer" to release the funds provided that members who have not submitted the documents give an undertaking to "fulfill the norms" for receiving the grant.
"IOA has been providing financial assistance/grant to its affiliated NSF's and SOA's for the year 2018 -19 and has so far released funds to those members that have submitted the required documents," Batra further said.
"It has been observed that quite a few NSF's/SOA's have yet not submitted their required documents for releasing the grant.
"As the whole country is in lock-down due to the outbreak of COVID-19, in IOA we understand that the submission of the required documents will take time from your end."
Earlier, Batra thanked the NSFs for their contributions towards the PM-CARES fund that has been setup to aid in the fight against coronavirus.
"Thank you for your support towards our national duty. We look up to other NSFs and state Olympic associations to also come forward in hour of need, the contributions can be deposited directly by you in the PM Cares Fund under intimation to us," he said.
--IANS
rkm/.
Source: IANS
IOA president Narinder Batra said in a letter addressed to Presidents and Secretary Generals of all NSFs and SOAs that he is "requesting and seeking approval of IOA EC (Executive Committee), Chair (and) Members Finance Committee, Secretary General and Treasurer" to release the funds provided that members who have not submitted the documents give an undertaking to "fulfill the norms" for receiving the grant.
"IOA has been providing financial assistance/grant to its affiliated NSF's and SOA's for the year 2018 -19 and has so far released funds to those members that have submitted the required documents," Batra further said.
"It has been observed that quite a few NSF's/SOA's have yet not submitted their required documents for releasing the grant.
"As the whole country is in lock-down due to the outbreak of COVID-19, in IOA we understand that the submission of the required documents will take time from your end."
Earlier, Batra thanked the NSFs for their contributions towards the PM-CARES fund that has been setup to aid in the fight against coronavirus.
"Thank you for your support towards our national duty. We look up to other NSFs and state Olympic associations to also come forward in hour of need, the contributions can be deposited directly by you in the PM Cares Fund under intimation to us," he said.
--IANS
rkm/.
Source: IANS
New Delhi, March 29 : Teenage shooter Esha Singh on Sunday decided to donate Rs 30,000 to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
At 15, she is the youngest sportsperson to make a monetary contribution in India.
"I pledge to contribute 30 thousand rupees from my savings to the PM CARE FUND to Fight Covid 19..," Esha wrote on her twitter handle.
Earlier in the day, India allrounder Richa Ghosh, who represented the country in the Women's T20 World Cup earlier this month, on Sunday donated Rs 1 lakh to the Bengal Chief Minister's relief fund in fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 16-year old's father handed over a cheque of Rs 1 lakh to Siliguri District Magistrate Sumanta Sahay.
India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane also decided to donate Rs 10 lakh to the Maharastra Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
Rahane joined the list of high-profile cricketers to contribute towards the cause.
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has donated Rs 50 lakh, while former India player Suresh Raina has chipped in with Rs 52 lakh.
The BCCI had on Saturday decided to contribute Rs 51 crore to the Prime Ministers Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund.
Speaking to IANS, a BCCI official said that it was Secretary Jay Shah who had a word with the other office-bearers as well as the state associations to decide on the way forward to help the country in the fight against the pandemic.
Former India opener and Lok Sabha MP Gautam Gambhir also said that he has released Rs one crore out of his MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) towards the relief efforts amid the pandemic.
Earlier, Gambhir had said in a statement that his foundation was distributing food packets to poor people in his constituency.
The statement also said that during the lockdown, 2,000 packets of food were being prepared and distributed by the foundation, and that efforts were being made so that no one should have to worry about food at this time.
--IANS
dm/prs.
Source: IANS
At 15, she is the youngest sportsperson to make a monetary contribution in India.
"I pledge to contribute 30 thousand rupees from my savings to the PM CARE FUND to Fight Covid 19..," Esha wrote on her twitter handle.
Earlier in the day, India allrounder Richa Ghosh, who represented the country in the Women's T20 World Cup earlier this month, on Sunday donated Rs 1 lakh to the Bengal Chief Minister's relief fund in fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 16-year old's father handed over a cheque of Rs 1 lakh to Siliguri District Magistrate Sumanta Sahay.
India's Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane also decided to donate Rs 10 lakh to the Maharastra Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
Rahane joined the list of high-profile cricketers to contribute towards the cause.
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar has donated Rs 50 lakh, while former India player Suresh Raina has chipped in with Rs 52 lakh.
The BCCI had on Saturday decided to contribute Rs 51 crore to the Prime Ministers Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund.
Speaking to IANS, a BCCI official said that it was Secretary Jay Shah who had a word with the other office-bearers as well as the state associations to decide on the way forward to help the country in the fight against the pandemic.
Former India opener and Lok Sabha MP Gautam Gambhir also said that he has released Rs one crore out of his MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) towards the relief efforts amid the pandemic.
Earlier, Gambhir had said in a statement that his foundation was distributing food packets to poor people in his constituency.
The statement also said that during the lockdown, 2,000 packets of food were being prepared and distributed by the foundation, and that efforts were being made so that no one should have to worry about food at this time.
--IANS
dm/prs.
Source: IANS
Kolkata, March 29 : All-rounder Richa Ghosh, who represented India in the Women's T20 World Cup earlier this month, on Sunday donated Rs 1 lakh to the Bengal Chief Minister's relief fund in fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 16-year old's father handed over a cheque of Rs 1 Lakh to Siliguri District Magistrate Sumanta Sahay.
"When everybody is fighting COVID-19 and the chief minister has appealed for a united battle against it, I thought of contributing a bit as a responsible citizen of the country," Richa, who played two matches in the T20 World Cup including the final, said.
Having made her debut in the tri-series in Australia before the T20 World Cup, Richa and Shafali Verma were the two 16-year-olds who played the final which India lost to Australia by 85 runs on March 8.
As many as 66 match observers contributed Rs 2,000 each with one of them contributing Rs 18,000 on behalf of ex observers totalling to an amount of Rs 1,50,000 towards West Bengal State Emergency Fund.
The amount would be transferred initially by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and deducted from the dues of these observers.
Similarly, 82 numbers of scorers contributed their day's pay aggregating to an amount of Rs 77,420.
The scorers have also made similar requests to CAB to pay initially and later deducting the amount when they get their payments.Representative of Mohammedan Sporting Club at the CAB, Dipak Singh donated personally Rs 2 lakh to the Relief Fund.Former Women's Test Player Mithu Mukherjee has expressed her desire to contribute Rs 25,000.
Coach of Bengal Women's U23 team Jayanta Ghosh Dastidar would contribute Rs 10,000.
While units like White Border Club and Vijay Sports Club would be donating Rs 50,000 each through CAB, Uttar Pally Milan Sangha, Suburban Club and Rangers Club would make contributions of Rs 25,000 each via CAB.
Among the District Sports Associations (DSA), Coochbehar DSA agreed to donate Rs 10,000 to the State Relief Fund.
--IANS
dm/sdr/.
Source: IANS
The 16-year old's father handed over a cheque of Rs 1 Lakh to Siliguri District Magistrate Sumanta Sahay.
"When everybody is fighting COVID-19 and the chief minister has appealed for a united battle against it, I thought of contributing a bit as a responsible citizen of the country," Richa, who played two matches in the T20 World Cup including the final, said.
Having made her debut in the tri-series in Australia before the T20 World Cup, Richa and Shafali Verma were the two 16-year-olds who played the final which India lost to Australia by 85 runs on March 8.
As many as 66 match observers contributed Rs 2,000 each with one of them contributing Rs 18,000 on behalf of ex observers totalling to an amount of Rs 1,50,000 towards West Bengal State Emergency Fund.
The amount would be transferred initially by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and deducted from the dues of these observers.
Similarly, 82 numbers of scorers contributed their day's pay aggregating to an amount of Rs 77,420.
The scorers have also made similar requests to CAB to pay initially and later deducting the amount when they get their payments.Representative of Mohammedan Sporting Club at the CAB, Dipak Singh donated personally Rs 2 lakh to the Relief Fund.Former Women's Test Player Mithu Mukherjee has expressed her desire to contribute Rs 25,000.
Coach of Bengal Women's U23 team Jayanta Ghosh Dastidar would contribute Rs 10,000.
While units like White Border Club and Vijay Sports Club would be donating Rs 50,000 each through CAB, Uttar Pally Milan Sangha, Suburban Club and Rangers Club would make contributions of Rs 25,000 each via CAB.
Among the District Sports Associations (DSA), Coochbehar DSA agreed to donate Rs 10,000 to the State Relief Fund.
--IANS
dm/sdr/.
Source: IANS
New Delhi, March 29 : Former Indian batsman and Lok Sabha MP Gautam Gambhir said that he has released Rs one crore out of his MP Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) towards the relief efforts amid the coronavirus pandemic.
"It is time that all resources of the country be directed towards fighting COVID-19.
Have released INR 1 Crore from my MP LAD fund towards relief efforts. Have also donated one month's salary towards the Central Relief Fund. United we stand!!" said Gambhir.
Earlier, Gambhir had said in a statement that his foundation was distributing food packets to poor people in his constituency.
The statement also said that during the lockdown, 2,000 packets of food were being prepared and distributed by the foundation, and that efforts were being made so that no one should have to worry about food at this time.
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju also said that he has donated Rs one crore from his MPLAD fund.
Taking to Twitter, Rijiju wrote: "I am depositing the amount now. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a call to all BJP MPs to give Rs 1 crore from their MPLADS Fund to the National Relief Fund in fight against coronavirus."
Currently, 819 active COVID-19 cases have been reported across the country and the pandemic has claimed 19 lives.
Globally, the pandemic has taken around 30,000 lives.
--IANS
rkm/dpb.
Source: IANS
"It is time that all resources of the country be directed towards fighting COVID-19.
Have released INR 1 Crore from my MP LAD fund towards relief efforts. Have also donated one month's salary towards the Central Relief Fund. United we stand!!" said Gambhir.
Earlier, Gambhir had said in a statement that his foundation was distributing food packets to poor people in his constituency.
The statement also said that during the lockdown, 2,000 packets of food were being prepared and distributed by the foundation, and that efforts were being made so that no one should have to worry about food at this time.
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju also said that he has donated Rs one crore from his MPLAD fund.
Taking to Twitter, Rijiju wrote: "I am depositing the amount now. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a call to all BJP MPs to give Rs 1 crore from their MPLADS Fund to the National Relief Fund in fight against coronavirus."
Currently, 819 active COVID-19 cases have been reported across the country and the pandemic has claimed 19 lives.
Globally, the pandemic has taken around 30,000 lives.
--IANS
rkm/dpb.
Source: IANS
New Delhi, March 22 : Sportspersons joined the nation on Sunday to salute those in the essential services working overtime to fight COVID-19, by clapping for them or sharing messages and videos of gratitude on social media.
Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag took to Twitter to share his gratitude."A big Salute to all the warriors who are working tirelessly .May this pass soon and may there be peace, peace and peace.
Om Shanti Shantih," he tweeted.
Star wrestler Bajrang Punia also tweeted with a video of claps and bells reverberating in his locality.
"I thank all the health-care workers and all the people in the frontline fighting COVID-19.
You are the real heroes I salute you," he said in a tweet.
Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble also took to Twitter to express his thanks.
"Thank you to all the heroes who are helping us in fighting COVID-19.
Let us stay strong and continue our fight," he tweeted.
Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif also tweeted: "Out in the balcony to thank one and all who are leaving no stone unturned to make India Corona free." He was seen clapping from his balcony with wife and kids.
Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and star sprinter Hima Das also chipped in as they were also seen clapping from the SAI centre in Patiala.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat also posted a video of her mother beating a steel plate with a spoon.
In another tweet, she posted, "Salute to all those who are working tirelessly.
What a feeling to see India on a united front against this battle.!! "
Shooter Heena Sidhu also shared a video along with a tweet: "Here is the video from my balcony! What atmosphere!! Thankyou everyone for fighting back and our heartfelt appreciation to all those who are fighting this disease by putting their lives on the line."
Indian men's hockey coach Sjoerd Marjine also posted a video of all the players clapping at their training centre in Bengaluru.
--IANS
dm/vd.
Source: IANS
Former India cricketer Virender Sehwag took to Twitter to share his gratitude."A big Salute to all the warriors who are working tirelessly .May this pass soon and may there be peace, peace and peace.
Om Shanti Shantih," he tweeted.
Star wrestler Bajrang Punia also tweeted with a video of claps and bells reverberating in his locality.
"I thank all the health-care workers and all the people in the frontline fighting COVID-19.
You are the real heroes I salute you," he said in a tweet.
Former India captain and coach Anil Kumble also took to Twitter to express his thanks.
"Thank you to all the heroes who are helping us in fighting COVID-19.
Let us stay strong and continue our fight," he tweeted.
Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif also tweeted: "Out in the balcony to thank one and all who are leaving no stone unturned to make India Corona free." He was seen clapping from his balcony with wife and kids.
Weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and star sprinter Hima Das also chipped in as they were also seen clapping from the SAI centre in Patiala.
Wrestler Vinesh Phogat also posted a video of her mother beating a steel plate with a spoon.
In another tweet, she posted, "Salute to all those who are working tirelessly.
What a feeling to see India on a united front against this battle.!! "
Shooter Heena Sidhu also shared a video along with a tweet: "Here is the video from my balcony! What atmosphere!! Thankyou everyone for fighting back and our heartfelt appreciation to all those who are fighting this disease by putting their lives on the line."
Indian men's hockey coach Sjoerd Marjine also posted a video of all the players clapping at their training centre in Bengaluru.
--IANS
dm/vd.
Source: IANS
Mumbai, March 22 : Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday praised all Indians for coming together as a nation even while staying at home and showing support to those in the essential services working overtime to fight Covid-19.
"Today India came together even while staying in our homes.
While we are at home there are many who are selflessly performing their duties.
"Thank you to each one of you for putting us before yourself.
The discipline and commitment we showed today needs to continue," Tendulkar said in a tweet.
The iconic 46-year old shared a video saying the same, followed by clapping hands.
As urged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the entire nation on Sunday cheered the medical and other essential services fraternity for containing coronavirus by clapping, ringing bells and blowing conch shells for 5 minutes at 5 pm.
Hundreds of people living in high rise apartments across the city also stepped out of their flats and stood in balconies, clapped and cheered the unnamed doctors, nurses and the health staff for their yeomen service to the Covid-hit.
The Indian sports fraternity also hailed the nation-wide movement with the likes of Star wrestler Bajrang Punia, former India cricket captain and coach Anil Kumble, star weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and sprinter Hima Das joining in the effort.
--IANS
dm/vd.
Source: IANS
"Today India came together even while staying in our homes.
While we are at home there are many who are selflessly performing their duties.
"Thank you to each one of you for putting us before yourself.
The discipline and commitment we showed today needs to continue," Tendulkar said in a tweet.
The iconic 46-year old shared a video saying the same, followed by clapping hands.
As urged by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the entire nation on Sunday cheered the medical and other essential services fraternity for containing coronavirus by clapping, ringing bells and blowing conch shells for 5 minutes at 5 pm.
Hundreds of people living in high rise apartments across the city also stepped out of their flats and stood in balconies, clapped and cheered the unnamed doctors, nurses and the health staff for their yeomen service to the Covid-hit.
The Indian sports fraternity also hailed the nation-wide movement with the likes of Star wrestler Bajrang Punia, former India cricket captain and coach Anil Kumble, star weightlifter Mirabai Chanu and sprinter Hima Das joining in the effort.
--IANS
dm/vd.
Source: IANS
New Delhi, March 21 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged India to fight the coronavirus outbreak strongly by observing the 'Janata Curfew ' on March 22 by giving the example of Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif who shared a memorable partnership in the 2002 Natwest Series which India won.
After the Prime Minister's appeal, Kaif took to Twitter and requested the same to people in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
PM Modi responded to Kaif's tweet and said, "It is time for another partnership."
Replying to Kaif's tweet, PM Modi tweeted, "Here are 2 excellent cricketers whose partnership we will remember forever.
Now, as they have said, it is time for another partnership. This time, all of India will be partners in the fight against Coronavirus."
Kaif and Yuvraj joined hands for a 121-run stand to drag Sourav Ganguly-led India out of a hole and guide them to a two-wicket victory against England at Lord's in July 2002.
PM Modi has urged people to opt for a 'Janata Curfew' on Sunday from 7 a.m.
to 9 p.m. and all the sports personalities have endorsed the idea.
--IANS
dm/rt.
Source: IANS
After the Prime Minister's appeal, Kaif took to Twitter and requested the same to people in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
PM Modi responded to Kaif's tweet and said, "It is time for another partnership."
Replying to Kaif's tweet, PM Modi tweeted, "Here are 2 excellent cricketers whose partnership we will remember forever.
Now, as they have said, it is time for another partnership. This time, all of India will be partners in the fight against Coronavirus."
Kaif and Yuvraj joined hands for a 121-run stand to drag Sourav Ganguly-led India out of a hole and guide them to a two-wicket victory against England at Lord's in July 2002.
PM Modi has urged people to opt for a 'Janata Curfew' on Sunday from 7 a.m.
to 9 p.m. and all the sports personalities have endorsed the idea.
--IANS
dm/rt.
Source: IANS
New Delhi, March 21 : Amid panic over a possibility of community transmission of novel coronavirus, it has now come to fore that ace boxer and Rajya Sabha MP Mary Kom broke the 14-day quarantine protocol which has been put in place by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the governments across the world.
Mary Kom, who had competed in the Asia-Oceania Olympic qualifiers in Amman, Jordan, had returned home March 13 and was supposed to be in self-isolation for a minimum of 14 days amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
However, on March 18, she attended the breakfast hosted by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
In one of the four pictures tweeted by the official Twitter handle of President of India, Mary Kom can be seen with other Member of Parliaments.
"President Kovind hosted Members of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan for breakfast at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning," read the caption of the photos.
On the same day, BJP lawmaker Dushyant Singh, who came in contact with infected Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor, was also there at the President's House.
Singh is now in self-quarantine.
Boxing coach Santiago Nieva had on Friday told IANS that the members of the Indian boxing contingent, who participated in Jordan, are all under the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
"10 days we had planned but now it becomes 14 days. So after 10 days I am working on a training programme which I will send them. After this period they can start on that. If this is not solved within two weeks then we will have to continue like this as best as we can," Nieva had said.
Mary Kom has, also admitted that she attended the President's event. In a statement, she said: "I am home since I came back from Jordan. I only attended the President's event and did not meet Dushyant or shake hands with. My quarantine after Jordan ends but I'm going to be at home only for the next 3-4 days."
President Kovind is himself likely to undergo coronavirus test as he also met Singh when he attended the party.
--IANS
aak/in.
Source: IANS
Mary Kom, who had competed in the Asia-Oceania Olympic qualifiers in Amman, Jordan, had returned home March 13 and was supposed to be in self-isolation for a minimum of 14 days amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
However, on March 18, she attended the breakfast hosted by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
In one of the four pictures tweeted by the official Twitter handle of President of India, Mary Kom can be seen with other Member of Parliaments.
"President Kovind hosted Members of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan for breakfast at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning," read the caption of the photos.
On the same day, BJP lawmaker Dushyant Singh, who came in contact with infected Bollywood singer Kanika Kapoor, was also there at the President's House.
Singh is now in self-quarantine.
Boxing coach Santiago Nieva had on Friday told IANS that the members of the Indian boxing contingent, who participated in Jordan, are all under the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
"10 days we had planned but now it becomes 14 days. So after 10 days I am working on a training programme which I will send them. After this period they can start on that. If this is not solved within two weeks then we will have to continue like this as best as we can," Nieva had said.
Mary Kom has, also admitted that she attended the President's event. In a statement, she said: "I am home since I came back from Jordan. I only attended the President's event and did not meet Dushyant or shake hands with. My quarantine after Jordan ends but I'm going to be at home only for the next 3-4 days."
President Kovind is himself likely to undergo coronavirus test as he also met Singh when he attended the party.
--IANS
aak/in.
Source: IANS
Chandigarh, Feb 10 : The Punjab government on Monday said it has nothing to do with Indian players who went to Pakistan for an international kabaddi tournament and denied that the players were representing either the state or the country.
"We have not sent any team to represent the state or the nation in any championship in Pakistan," Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi told the media.
"If the PKA is confirming that it has sent the players, they should identify them," Sodhi added.
The Punjab Kabaddi Association (PKA) has sent a 60-member Indian contingent to Pakistan for the "World Cup".
It entered Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border near Amritsar.
PKA vice-president Tejinder Singh Middukhera said the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation has organised the tournament to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev and had invited the PKA.
The team's coach is Harprit Singh Baba and its captain is Gurlal Ghanaur.
However, Punjab state Congress President Sunil Jakhar on Monday blamed the Shriomani Akali Dal (SAD) for facilitating the players in procuring visas for visiting Lahore for the event.
"I would ask Union Home Minister Amit Shah to get the matter probed either by RAW or NIA (National Investigation Agency) as to how the players procured their visas," he said.
Jakhar said their visit to Pakistan under the guise of participating in the kabaddi tournament is a threat to the country's national security.
He expressed apprehensions that three Union ministers from Punjab might have facilitated their visit.
Jakhar blamed the Akali Dal for facilitating the players in procuring their visas despite the hostile relations with Pakistan.
Refuting the allegations, SAD spokesperson and senior leader Daljit Singh Cheema told the media that the party has nothing to do with the visit of the players to Pakistan.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been left shellshocked after the kabaddi team from India reached Pakistan to take part in the tournament.
Speaking to IANS, IOA chief Narinder Batra said on Monday that the team, which reached Lahore on Saturday, is not an official one from India and hence, they cannot use the word "India" under their banner as they have not been approved by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI).
According to the organisers of the tournament, teams from 10 nations are taking part in the event being organised in three cities.
A total of 24 matches are scheduled to be played in the tournament with the winners getting a prize money of Rs 10 million, while the runner-ups will get Rs 7.5 million.
Players from 10 countries -- Pakistan, India, Canada, the United States, Australia, England, Iran, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Azerbaijan are taking part in the event.
--IANS
vg/kr.
Source: IANS
"We have not sent any team to represent the state or the nation in any championship in Pakistan," Punjab Sports Minister Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi told the media.
"If the PKA is confirming that it has sent the players, they should identify them," Sodhi added.
The Punjab Kabaddi Association (PKA) has sent a 60-member Indian contingent to Pakistan for the "World Cup".
It entered Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border near Amritsar.
PKA vice-president Tejinder Singh Middukhera said the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation has organised the tournament to celebrate the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev and had invited the PKA.
The team's coach is Harprit Singh Baba and its captain is Gurlal Ghanaur.
However, Punjab state Congress President Sunil Jakhar on Monday blamed the Shriomani Akali Dal (SAD) for facilitating the players in procuring visas for visiting Lahore for the event.
"I would ask Union Home Minister Amit Shah to get the matter probed either by RAW or NIA (National Investigation Agency) as to how the players procured their visas," he said.
Jakhar said their visit to Pakistan under the guise of participating in the kabaddi tournament is a threat to the country's national security.
He expressed apprehensions that three Union ministers from Punjab might have facilitated their visit.
Jakhar blamed the Akali Dal for facilitating the players in procuring their visas despite the hostile relations with Pakistan.
Refuting the allegations, SAD spokesperson and senior leader Daljit Singh Cheema told the media that the party has nothing to do with the visit of the players to Pakistan.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has been left shellshocked after the kabaddi team from India reached Pakistan to take part in the tournament.
Speaking to IANS, IOA chief Narinder Batra said on Monday that the team, which reached Lahore on Saturday, is not an official one from India and hence, they cannot use the word "India" under their banner as they have not been approved by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI).
According to the organisers of the tournament, teams from 10 nations are taking part in the event being organised in three cities.
A total of 24 matches are scheduled to be played in the tournament with the winners getting a prize money of Rs 10 million, while the runner-ups will get Rs 7.5 million.
Players from 10 countries -- Pakistan, India, Canada, the United States, Australia, England, Iran, Kenya, Sierra Leone and Azerbaijan are taking part in the event.
--IANS
vg/kr.
Source: IANS