This year’s World Kabaddi General Assembly will be held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic. The decision was made at the World Kabaddi Executive Committee Meeting held online yesterday.
World Kabaddi president Ashok Das said that the virtual meeting was the best way to move forward and engage the membership.
“Travelling in this pandemic is not the best option and the holding a virtual meeting ensures the meeting would be equally accessible to all members.
The virtual meeting has been scheduled for November 28, 2020.
World Kabaddi, the governing body for the sport, currently has more than 50 affiliated countries and is expanding to more parts of the world.
Kabaddi, a traditional Indian sport with a 5,000 history, is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. World Kabaddi’s membership comes from countries in all five continents.
Last year, the World Cup was hosted in Malaysia, with powerhouses India winning both the men and women titles. The inaugural European championships was also held in Glasgow last year.
Plans to host the World Cup and several other internationals were derailed this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, the inaugural Africa Championships is expected to take place in Tanzania in December. At least eight African countries are expected to participate including hosts Tanzania, Kenya and Cameroon.
The inaugural Pan American kabaddi championship is being planned for early next year.
The general meeting in November is expected to chart out the direction of World Kabaddi in implementing its strategic plan for the betterment and promotion of kabaddi.
Representatives from all member countries and the continental bodies (Kabaddi Asia, Kabaddi Africa, Kabaddi Europe, Kabaddi Oceania and Kabadi Pan America) will participate in the virtual meeting.