Kabaddi World Cup cancelled in India after violence

Several teams including Australia, Britain, Canada and New Zealand refused to participate in the event due to threats of Shiv Sina extremists.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday announced cancellation of the Kabaddi World Cup that was to be held in the state from November 14 to 28.

Badal, who also holds the Sports portfolio, said the sixth edition of the tournament was cancelled as a mark of grief over the recent incidents of sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.

“Kabaddi symbolises the spirit of the Punjabis and their quest for excellence in rural sports. At a time when the entire Sikh community is shell shocked with grief at the ghastly manner in which Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji has been desecrated, holding such a tournament is not appropriate,” Badal said in a statement here.

“My feelings too have been outraged and my conscience is not allowing me to preside over a tournament at a time when the Sikh community in India and all over the world is in grief over the ghastly acts of sacrilege,” Badal said.

Four major teams of the tournament – America, England, New Zealand and Canada – had also withdrawn from the tournament after violence remained relentless in the Indian province where the event was scheduled to take place.