Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan beat India 43-41 on Sunday in the final of the Kabaddi World Cup to become the world champions for the first time. Pakistan were crowned with the beautifully designed winner’s trophy at the Punjab Stadium in Lahore as they emerged the victor in the final of the 2020 Kabaddi World Cup. Pakistan bagged Rs10 million in prize money, while the runners-up India received Rs7.5 million. The men in green gave the crowd a moment to cherish as they made the traditional rivals bite the dust at their home ground. In doing so, they sent out the message loud and clear that Pakistan is a safe place to visit, play and rejoice. Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated the team on this occasion by tweeting: “Congratulations to the Pakistan Kabbadi team for winning the Kabbadi World Cup after defeating India.” Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi dedicated the win to peace in the region. “Congratulations to the Pakistan Kabaddi team for winning the KabaddiWorldCup2020. We should dedicate this win to ‘peace’ in the region and the world. You have made us proud.” Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also congratulated the team and said that both finalists ‘deserve to be applauded’. “COAS extends felicitations to Pakistan team on winning Kabaddi World Cup 2020. All participating teams performed well. Both finalists, competing in true spirit of the game, displayed exceptionally high standard of expertise in a closely contested game and deserve to be applauded.” Earlier, after the victory, Pakistan Kabaddi Federation secretary general Rana Muhammad Sarwar said, “We are grateful to all the nations which made this event colourful. We should not let sports and culture become a victim of politics.” The team were also congratulated by people from all circles of life including cricketers, politicians and artists.