LAHORE: Gujrat has become the third team to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the inaugural Super Kabbadi League to be played from May 16 here at the Punjab Stadium. Chaudhry Nasrullah Warraich – owner of Gujrat – signed the MoU with Strawberry Sports Management (SSM) for the SKL here on Tuesday. “The sports in Pakistan are on the verge of decline due to lack of interest of government and corporate sector. There is a dire need to promote sports at the grassroots level.
We also need to promote regional sports and games like kabaddi, which can help the country get recognition across the globe, Ch Nasrullah, who is also chairman of Al-Jalil Gardens, said. Also present on the occasion were SSM CEO Haider Ali Daud, Majeed Warraich of Al-Jalil Gardens and Pakistan Kabadd Federation officials. “The main reason for buying a kabaddi league team was promotion of cultural game of the country and secondly, as I belong to Gujrat, that’s why I bought this team to earn good name for my city. I just want to see kabaddi flourish widely and earn good name for the country globally,” he added.
PKF vice president Ramzan Ghumman said that spectators from across the country and especially Lahore were anxiously waiting for the day when the league starts.
“The PKF is in contact with foreign players to feature in the league. But it is up to the government. If it issues NOCs to foreign players, they will surely be seen in action during the league. But one thing is for sure that the second edition of the league will see the presence of a huge number of international players.”
Speaking about the SKL, Strawberry Sports Management CEO Haider Ali Daud said: “It’s a sports revolution in the making. I thank the role of Punjab sports minister and director general Sports Board Punjab for their all-out support and facilitation regarding holding the league at the Punjab Stadium.” It is pertinent to mention that two teams of the league have already been sold. Chuadhary Ikhlaq owns Sialkot Bulls while Islamabad Tigers are owned by hockey Olympian Mohammad Usman.