By Our Correspondent
LAHORE (October 1, 2025): Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar has inaugurated the 44th National Kabaddi Championship at Punjab Stadium on Wednesday.
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Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Muzaffar Khan Sial, Director General Sports and Youth Affairs Punjab Khizar Afzaal Chaudhry and Secretary Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) Rana Sarwar attended the opening ceremony. Besides them, several national kabaddi stars and a large number of kabaddi enthusiasts were also present on this occasion.
As many as 12 teams, including Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, Wapda, HEC, Police, Railways, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad are participating in the National Kabaddi Championship being organised at the Punjab Stadium from October 1 to 5. Captain of national kabaddi team Shafiq Chishti took oath from all participating players pledging to compete with dedication, sportsmanship, and commitment to the true spirit of the game.
While talking to media, on this occasion, Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that kabaddi is part of our culture and tradition and our youth has special attraction for this exciting game. “Several kabaddi players have already been registered in the Punjab Endowment Fund and are being fully supported by the government for their training to participate in top kabaddi events”.
The provincial minister further said that kabaddi is a traditional game of Punjab and the Punjab government is taking effective measures for its promotion among the younger generation. “The potential kabaddi players are being provided sufficient playing opportunities to polish their kabaddi skills. The promotion of sports culture is the top priority of the Punjab government”.
Punjab Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that the presence of young talented kabaddi players from all over Pakistan is commendable. “Kabaddi is such an exciting and entertaining game which created motivation and courage among the young people. Kabaddi is such an enthralling game that provided plenty of entertainment to players and spectators as well. No matter which province wins, the true victory will be of Kabaddi,” he remarked”.
He said the game of kabaddi is helping a lot in highlighting Pakistan’s soft image. “Kabaddi has a significant place in national sports due to its immense popularity in all parts of the country. There is no doubt that talented kabaddi players are no less than an asset for the country”.
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