NEW YEAR GREETINGS 2009

The KAKL wishes all our friends in the kabaddi family

a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

IIKC report on Kosmo

More scenes from IIKC 2008

Putrajaya players waiting for instruction from the match officials


Deputy organising chairman Narayanasamy presented the Best Raider award to Colombo's Lakmini


DSP Raj presenting the third place trophy to the Colombo captain


All India Circle Kabaddi Federation secretary Ved Sharma presenting the medal to a Delhi player


Brigadier Mahinda Ambanpola presenting the Colombo captain the trophy for second placing


Triconmalee missed their flight and finished third


Kuala Lumpur girls learned from the experience


Some of the children who attended the kabaddi coaching clinic


Part of the spectators included trainees from the Police

Kuala Lumpur Denied

Siva easily taking a bonus point against the Punjab side


Hosts Kuala Lumpur were denied the men’s title at the inaugural Inter City Kabaddi Championships by a resurgent Punjab side at the Police Depot yesterday.

Kuala Lumpur gave scant respect to the favourites and almost pulled off a stunning upset before losing 61-59 in the closely contested final.

Punjab made it a grand double by also taking the women’s title after an easy win over Colombo in the final.

The match between Kuala Lumpur and Punjab was dominated by strong performances from both sides. But it was KL that dictated the pace for much of the game, leading the first half 38-22 and by as much as seven points at one stage in the second half.

Skipper Siva Krishnan and raider Karthik Bandi played sterling roles for the Kuala Lumpur squad.

Siva picked up two individual awards for his efforts – Top Scorer and Best Player of the tournament.

Punjab’s Vijay Kumar was adjudged as the Best Raider.

Vijay and teammate Jagtat Singh turned out to be the bane for the Kuala Lumpur side in the second half.

Despite the defeat, the host proved beyond doubt that they were now on par with teams from the traditional powerhouses.

Colombo’s KS Meegastanne was given the Best Defence award.

Colombo with several internationals including KPT Thushara, KS Meegastanne, ALM Niswan, EAUK Alwis and KAP Nishantha had to contend for third spot ahead of New Delhi. Delhi conceded a walkover to Colombo in the playoff for third spot, with several of their players being injured.

In the women’s competition, Punjab’s strong defence gave them the edge over Colombo, featuring three players, who had helped Sri Lanka to the silver at the last South Asian Games - UMNWPJM Rathnayake, MMNTK Bandara and SPN Dilhani.

Punjab won the women’s final 24-11. Punjab’s Navneet K took the Best Player and Best Defence awards while another Punjab player Parveen K took the Top Scorer Award.

Colombo’s Lakmali was adjudged as the Best Raider.

Another Sri Lankan side, Triconmalee defeated Kuala Lumpur 87-14 for third place.

More Scenes from the IIKC 2008

IIKC officials at work


Officials from various teams also engrossed in the matches


Technical Delegate L. Anbarasu officiating the match involving Putrajaya


Colombo coach Rohana shouting orders from the bench


Punjab players qualify for the final with a match to spare


Putrajaya players in serious mode during their match against Punjab

Womens finalists settled, three in the running for men

Colombo and Triconmalee teams posing for a group picture before their match

Colombo and Punjab are through to the women's final of the International Inter City Kabaddi Championships with both teams having one match to spare.

The two teams will clash today in their final preliminary round matches and again in the final in the evening.

Triconmalee and hosts Kuala Lumpur will play off for the third place. Triconmalee were unfortunate to have to play two back-to-back matches after arriving late for the tournament. They missed their flight on Thursday and the managers meeting agreed to to reschedule their matches.

In the men's competition, three teams are still in the running to make the final. Punjab, Colombo and Kuala Lumpur can make it to the final based on the results of the final round robin matches.

Punjab can qualify for the final if they beat or draw with Delhi today while Kuala Lumpur can also make it to the final if they beat Putrajaya in their final match.

Colombo will qualify if either Punjab or Kuala Lumpur falter in their final match.


RESULTS
MEN: Colombo beat Putrajaya 68-8, Kuala Lumpur beat Colombo 37-34, Punjab beat Putrajaya 65-52, Kuala Lumpur beat New Delhi 49-29

WOMEN: Punjab beat Triconmalee 50-36, Colombo beat Triconmalee 47-41, Punjab beat Kuala Lumpur 70-19

IIKC 2008 STANDINGS AFTER DAY TWO