World Kabaddi Cup in Punjab cancelled over protests

The 6th edition of the World Kabaddi Cup was cancelled on Tuesday as tension prevailed in Punjab over the recent incidents of sacrilege of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Punjab’s Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal announced the cancellation of the tournament which was scheduled to be held all over the state from November 14-November 28.

Most of the kabaddi clubs of Canada, UK and US, New Zealand and Australia had already mentioned on their Facebook pages that they would be boycotting the event.

“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 Guru Granth Sahib has been desecrated, holding such a tournament is not appropriate,” he said.

A series of incidents of desecration of the Sikh holy book followed by protests by religious orgainsations,
including hardliners, has put Punjab on boil recently.(With PTI inputs)