PELANDOKS RULES

Bukit Pelandok were worthy winners of the Arasai (ASC) Kings of Kabaddi championships held at the Kelab Sukan DBKL in Brickfields on Sunday.

The Negri Sembilan side played a disciplined game to upset second seeds Selayang A 41-36 in a closely fought finals.

Selayang were let down by their poor fitness level with at least three of their players suffering from cramps in the physically demanding final.

Former international Mohandas played a pivotal role in Bukit Pelandok’s victory. He was adjudged as the Best Player of the Tournament for his commanding role both in defence and attack.

Bukit Pelandok final appearance was also aided by the disqualification of top seeds Sri Devi Dragons and Arasai (ASC). The two teams were booted out of the competition for indiscipline.

Deputy Foreign Minister Senator A. Kohilan Pillay gave away the medals to the winners. Bukit Pelandok took home RM 1, 500 for their efforts while Selayang took home RM 1,000.

Third place went to a resurgent Kampong Pandan Lions, who were given a walkover in the third place playoff, by the Indian expatriate team of Pasum Ponn.

In the semi-finals held earlier in the day, Selayang romped past Pasum Ponn 27-12 while Bukit Pelandok eked out a narrow 23-20 win over the Lions.

There were also plenty of other surprises in the competition, especially the defeat of Tamillan Kabaddi by Kg Pandan Tigers. Kg Pandan Tigers clinched their first ever win in any competition this year with a 33-31 win over the Tamillans.

Speaking before the prize presentation, Senator Kohilan commended the Kabaddi Association of Kuala Lumpur (KAKL) for their efforts in bringing together top teams from various states for the championships.

“It is evident form today’s great final that kabaddi is a physically and mentally demanding game. I am made to understand that kabaddi is not in the SUKMA and would assist in any way I can to help the association to get the game recognised,” said Kohilan.

In the women’s competition, top seeds Sri Devi Princess were lucky to have defeated a determined Segar 44-43. Both teams were level on 39 points each after regulation time.

The match went to sudden death and the Princess squeezed out an extra point in their very last raid to foil a devastated Segar side.

Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) secretary Datuk Sieh Kok Chi gave away the medals to the women’s winners.

Earlier in the morning, Federal Territory Sports Council director M. Noor Azman officiated the opening ceremony of the event.