Kabaddi World Cup takes off amidst glitz, glamour

Bathinda, November 1
The second edition of the Kabaddi World Cup took off amidst a glittering ceremony at the Bathinda multipurpose stadium this evening. Kabaddi fans began taking seats at the stadium as early as 3 pm. Ministers and MLAs known for arriving late were also well in time.

A rough estimate put the turnout at above 20,000. The stadium has a capacity for 10,000. Adrenaline ran high as Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan arrived at the venue at about 7.45 pm. A huge crowd of kabaddi fans reached out for him.

The stadium broke into a thunderous applause.

Before SRK’s arrival, all the 14 teams participating in the cup held a parade with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal taking the salute. He was flanked by Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal, MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Chief Minister of a Provincial Council of Sri Lanka Mahiepala Herath and ministers.The police had to resort to mild force near gate numbers 4, 7 and 8 meant for the general public. The event began with a light and sound show and breath-taking fireworks.

WWE wrestler Khali’s entry in an open jeep along with bhangra, gidda, jhoomar and luddi performers drew a deafening applause. Khali met the team captains and led them towards the stage as Sukhbir appeared on stage through a hydraulic system. The Deputy Chief Minister presented shawls and phulkaris to the captains.

The event was declared open with athletes handing over the baton to the Chief Minister and Bollywood icon SRK.

Giant audio-visual screens provided an overview to the spectators who just could not have enough. Speaking on occasion, the Chief Minister said the SAD BJP government had allocated a major part of its budget to sports.

OPPN UNIMPRESSED

It would have been better if the money (spent on the Kabaddi World Cup) was given to hospitals where the poor are treated
— Amarinder Singh, PCC chief
Instead of spending a hefty Rs 4.50 crore on inviting filmstar Shah Rukh Khan, the government should have first paid cash awards to those players who have excelled in the international arena

— Raninder Singh, Congress leader

On the sidelines...

• Politicians were seen playing musical chairs. A Member of Parliament (MP) was on his seat since 4 pm. Unaware of his VIP status, a spectator asked him to get aside. Irritated at this unexpected ‘order’, the politician tried to leave but was pacified by president of the Punjab Kabaddi Association Sikandar Singh Maluka and the MP resumed his seat.
• The stadium was filled to capacity even before 5.30 pm. The police dealt with the crowds at the entrance gates with an iron hand. Even VIPs were seen in heated arguments with policemen.
• The police had to use mild force at three entrance gates.

KHALI UNHAPPY

BATHINDA: WWE wrestler Khali who was invited at the opening ceremony of the Kabaddi World Cup expressed displeasure over the arrangements. During a late night press conference, his spokesperson Amit Swami alleged that they were told that Khali would get a seat on the dais. The spokesperson said Khali was not happy with the way he was treated during the ceremony.
Talking to TNS later, Khali denied that he felt insulted. He said the event was great but the arrangements were poor. — TNS

SRK APPROACHED US, CLAIMS GABRIA

LUDHIANA: Jail Minister Hira Singh Gabria claimed that his government had not invited SRK to the opening of the Kabaddi World Cup.
“We did not invite any Bollywood star. Witnessing the popularity of last year’s Kabaddi Cup, SRK approached us ,” the minister said. Asked if Bollywood stars Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif would perform at the closing ceremony, Gabria said: “We have received offers from various filmstars but we have yet to take a decision on the names “. — Mohit Khanna