Sri Devi off to India

KAKL president S.T. Arasu handed over the flag to Sri Devi's L. Sukumaran who in turn handed the flag to team captain K. Siva


Sri Devi Kabaddi Club, one of the country’s leading kabaddi clubs, will get a chance to test their mettle against teams from India later this month.

The club has been invited to play at the 31st Memorial Cup kabaddi tournament to be held from June 11-16 at Kuttalam, Tamil Nadu in India.

This is the first time in the history of the event in three decades that a foreign team has been invited.

“We are proud that the organisers have faith in the capability of the team to go up against teams from Tamil Nadu,” said club secretary L. Anbarasu.

The Sri Devi club boasts of several players, who helped Kuala Lumpur emerge champions at the SUKMA demonstration competition last year.

Players like K. Siva, P. Vimalanathan and T. Durai Raja, were also intergral part of the Kuala Lumpur team that finished runners-up to Pattiala, Punjab in the inaugural International Inter City Kabaddi Championships last December.

Anbarasu said that the team is targeting a top four finish in the competition.

“This is the first time that we would be up against top club teams in India and we are aware that the competition there would be much stronger than any we have encountered in local competitions,” said Anbarasu.

Meanwhile, the team leaving for Kuttalam next week, were feted with a dinner by the club yesterday.

During the dinner, the team were handed the Kuala Lumpur flag KAKL president S.T. Arasu.

Arasu reminded the players that they although they were playing at the tournament under the club banner, they were also representing the state and country.

“Winning is not always the ultimate goal. I hope that each and every one of you would maintain your discipline and play your best in each match,” said Arasu.

The dinner was also attended by representatives of the Memorial Cup.

The entire trip to India is sponsored by the organisers of the tournament.