Off to India

The Kuala Lumpur Kabaddi team will leave for India today for an intensive six-day training stint in preparation for the inaugural International Inter City Kabaddi Championships (IIKC) to be held at the Police Depot from December 26-28.

The 13 strong team would be training with a local club in New Delhi and play a number of matches there as part of the final phase of training for the IIKC.

Federal Territory Sports Council (MSWP) Director M. Noor Azman Taib, who handed the Federal Territory Flag to the team, expressed confidence that Kuala Lumpur would continue their fine form at the IIKC.

Kuala Lumpur are the reigning Sukma gold medallist as well as two time defending President's Cup champions.

"The MSWP would continue to support the development of kabaddi in the Federal Territory and we are happy with the work done by the Kabaddi Association of Kuala Lumpur in developing the sport," said Noor Azman.

He added that they were disappointed that kabaddi has not been included as a medal sport at the next Sukma in Melaka.

"We were one of those who supported the move to include kabaddi at the Sukma. Since it did not get into Melaka, we certainly hope it would be included in Perlis," he added.

Noor Azman said that, despite the setback, the MSWP still considered kabaddi as a sport with plenty of potential and that they would continue to support and assist the sport.

The IIKC would see Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya going up against some of the best foreign city teams.

Kuala Lumpur Kabaddi Association (KAKL) president S.T. Arasu said that the IIKC was mooted as part of the associations continued development programme.

"We are currently the best side in Malaysia and to maintain that status we need to continually look into ways of getting our players more exposure. The IIKC would be a perfect way to gain the experience," he added.

KAKL has targeted for either the Kuala Lumpur or Putrajaya side to make the final of the men's competition.

"We expect New Delhi to be the toughest team in the men's but we would be able to match the other sides," said Arasu.

So far New Delhi, Chennai, Colombo, Triconmalee and Kashmir are the foreign teams to have already confirmed their participation.

To add colour to the tournament, the KAKL have also decided to include a Kuala Lumpur Expatriate team, comprising of foreign players working in Kuala Lumpur.

KAKL have not put a target for their women's team.

"We have just started on our women's programme and it would take some time before they are ready for competitions like this," said Arasu.

He added that the association was hoping to make the IIKC an annual affair and build it into a premier international kabaddi event.

"There has never been an international competition for teams representing states or clubs anywhere in the world and we hope that the IIKC would be a catalyst for the game," said Arasu.

The state teams are currently being coached by former national captain Balamurugan Rengasami Naidu. Balamurugan, who is also the current national women's coach, will be assisted by S. Balakrishnan.

Eepro, Milo and 100 Plus are among the sponsors of the tournament.