PESHAWAR
\nSyed Sultan Bari, Secretary of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Kabaddi Association and an international referee, has highlighted the pressing need for government support and resources to promote kabaddi at the grassroots level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He noted that although the younger generation is enthusiastic about the traditional sport, a lack of government support presents significant hurdles for aspiring players. Speaking on Pakhtunkhwa Radio FM 92.2\u2019s program Sports Round-Up, hosted by young journalist Wisal Yousafzai, Bari emphasized the sport\u2019s challenges and its potential for growth with the right support.
\nSyed Sultan Bari pointed out that while kabaddi enjoys popularity in both Pakistan and India, it does not receive the same level of recognition in Pakistan as it does in India. In India, the kabaddi league has multi-million rupee prizes, with each player earning substantial awards. In Pakistan, however, kabaddi players struggle with limited resources, often balancing daily responsibilities with their passion for the sport.
\nHe urged the government to provide kabaddi players with similar support as other sports, including appointing kabaddi players as sports teachers in educational institutions and recruiting kabaddi coaches within the sports department. This, he argued, would enable youth training at the grassroots level and offer players respectable employment.
\nWith limited funding, the Kabaddi Association is unable to provide players with a monthly stipend or other essential facilities. Despite these financial constraints, the association organizes kabaddi tournaments in various districts across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Charsadda, Mardan, Haripur, Bannu, and Swabi.
\nBari also highlighted kabaddi\u2019s growing international appeal, with various styles such as Asian-style, Pro Kabaddi, Indoor Kabaddi, and Beach Kabaddi being played worldwide. He cited the Iranian team\u2019s progress, which has reached a prominent position on the global stage after initially learning the sport from Pakistan.
\nReflecting on India\u2019s kabaddi league, Bari noted that players there receive incentives worth over two billion rupees, with individual earnings reaching eight to nine crore rupees. In contrast, Pakistani players do not receive similar support. With comparable incentives and opportunities, Pakistan\u2019s national kabaddi team could achieve significant success on the international level once again.
\nHe stressed the importance of the referee\u2019s role in any sport, stating that impartial decisions are essential to the referee\u2019s respect. As the central referee in Pakistan\u2019s Kabaddi World Cup, he gained both national and international recognition.
\nBari also shared efforts to promote women\u2019s kabaddi in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with tournaments at inter-college and school levels to encourage female athletes. He revealed plans for a women\u2019s kabaddi tournament in Peshawar Division in the near future.
\nIn his closing remarks, Syed Sultan Bari called upon the provincial government, as well as the sports and education departments, to extend support for kabaddi, provide financial assistance to players, and recognize kabaddi as a valued sport on par with others. This, he believes, would enable kabaddi to achieve its true potential in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PESHAWAR Syed Sultan Bari, Secretary of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Kabaddi Association and an international referee, has highlighted the pressing need for government support and resources to promote kabaddi at the grassroots level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He noted that although the younger generation is enthusiastic about the traditional sport, a lack of government support presents significant […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":441596,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-441567","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n