Teams representing Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya would be going up against some of the best city teams from around the world for the inaugural International Inter City Kabaddi Championships (IIKC).
The tournament is being hosted by the Kabaddi Association of Kuala Lumpur (KAKL) from December 26-28.
The championships is part of the continued development programme conducted by the KAKL.
The state teams are currently the undisputed number one team in the country having won the national inter state championships for the Presidents Cup twice in succession.
The team are also the reigning SUKMA champions. This year, teams from the state have won all competitions they had taken part in including the KL Open and Wira Negeri Open.
However, it would be a tough affair for the team at the IIKC. A strong field of teams from the traditional powerhouses including India are expected to participate in the tournament.
KAKL president S.T. Arasu said that the final list of the participating teams would be revealed in two weeks time.
"We have invited a wide range of teams from Asia and Europe. We are also hopeful of getting a team from the USA to play," he said.
The IIKC is expected to see the participation at least eight teams in the men's competition and four teams in the women.
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.
As part of the preparation for the tournament, KAKL has arranged for a training tour to India early next month.
"We are in the midst of finalising the arrangements for the tour which should take place in early December. We intend to take the best 12 players to India for the tour and hopefully it would be beneficial for our players," said Arasu.
To pick the team, KAKL would be hosting the KL Closed Kabaddi Championships to be hosted by the Sri Devi Kabaddi Club on 22nd November 2008.
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.
The official launch of the IIKC was attended by Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi and also representatives from the Federal Territory Sports Council and the sponsors.
KAKL also received the sponsorship pledge from Eepro, who are the official attire sponsors.
KAKL also announced the launch of the inaugural KL Open League championships, which starts in January 2009.
The league is expected to see at least eight teams participating with matches being played every fortnight. Five club sides from the state have already confirmed their participation in the League that would end sometime in June.
"KAKL is on the right track in organising competitions as it will help create the awareness for the game and also help the players improve themselves," said Kok Chi.
He added that kabaddi was an important sport in the Asian calendar as it has already been included in the Asian Games, Asian Beach Games and the Asian Indoor Games.
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