Kabaddi Masters Championship: India defeats arch-rival Pakistan by 36-20 in opener

Dubai, June 23: Indian Kabaddi team on Friday thrashed arch-rival Pakistan by 36-20 in the opening match of Kabaddi Masters Championship being held at Al-Wasl Sports Complex in Dubai. Indian skipper Ajay Thakur led the team from the front and scored 15 raid points.

 

Indian team started off the high-voltage match with aggression and all-round performance led the team earn quick points in the first half of the game as it took a lead of 13 points. Putting up a clinical performance Indian team climbed high with 22 points while Pakistan remained at only points till the halftime.

Ajay Thakur scored 15 raid points and was equally strong in a tackle which fetched the team 12 more points. Making a comeback in second half Pakistan earned few points but Indian team completely destabilized Pakistan and won the match.

Appreciating Thakur for his comprehensive performance, Indian coach Srinivas Reddy said, "He broke both their corners and dismantled their defence early on." Union Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Ambassador Navdeep Suri also witnessed the match. Speaking to the media after the game, Minister Rathore said, indigenous sports Kabaddi has got all the ingredients to become an Olympic sport. He said it is commendable that Kabaddi has gained international recognition and now more than 30 countries are playing this sport.

The Minister added that India is trying to bring about systemic changes in the field of sports to produce world class sportsperson in every field. He said efforts are being made to involve private sectors in the maintenance of the sporting arenas through public-private partnership. India will next play Kenya on Saturday.