The World Kabaddi in line with its efforts to strengthen its structural set-up has appointed key members to its commissions for the term 2020-2022.
The appointments were made during the virtual executive committee meeting held earlier today.
World Kabaddi president Ashok Das said that the commissions are instrumental in ensuring a professional management of the organization.
“We believe we have brought together a strong group of sports leaders from around the world to support the executive committee in implementing steps needed to elevate the status of the sport,” said Ashok.
World Kabaddi, which was admitted as a member of The Association for International Sports for All (TAFISA) last month, is hoping to get admission into more recognized international bodies.
“Kabaddi has the potential to be a major sport. We have more than 50 member countries from all five continents and the growth has been bee phenomenal in recent years,” said Ashok.
The Commissions are expected to help position kabaddi in a more positive light, especially among the youth around the world.
“We believe that with the concerted effort, we can also attract more sponsorship and in turn get the sports more exposure,” added Ashok, who is also the president of the England Kabaddi Association (EKA).
While the Covid-19 pandemic has derailed the competitions calendar for 2020, World Kabaddi hopes to kick start a strong calendar of events by the first quarter of 2021.
“These are only initial appointments and we would be making more in the coming months bringing in more qualified leaders into each commission as well as new commissions,” he added.
MEDICAL COMMISSION
Chairman: Dato’ Dr Gurucharan Singh
Dato’ Dr Gurucharan Singh is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He has post-graduate qualifications namely – Masters in Occupational Medicine and Masters in Sports Medicine from Australia. In addition, a FIFA Instructor in Football Medicine and had officiated at several Olympic Games, World Cup Finals, Commonwealth Games, Regional Games and IOC sports medicine seminars and anti-doping workshops since 1983. He is a member of FIFA Medical Committee, Chairman of AFC Medical Committee as well as the Chairman of the BWF Tournament Doctor Commission.
FINANCE COMMISSION
Chairman: Prem Singh
Prem Singh is the founder member of Scottish Kabaddi and is also an executive committee member of World Kabaddi. A consultant and business development advisor, his passion is sports in particular the sport of Kabaddi. He has expertise in Equality Challenges and in promotion, marketing, sponsorship and business development. He is also the founder member of the Scottish Asian Sports Association.
LEGAL COMMISSION
Chairman: Gurpal Singh Oppal
Gurpal Singh Oppal was born in the UK and studied Law at Kingston University before completing Masters in International Refugee studies at East London University and became one of the youngest members of the Law Society Immigration Panel. He is a partner at Charles Simmons Immigration Solicitors, one of UK’s most successful immigration practices. Holds an independent community radio show providing information on Immigration Law, Immigration Policy as well open discussions on every day problems facing people coming to the UK. Has recently set up World Cancer Care, a UK based charity with other similar minded. ¨
Deputy Chairman: Manohar Lal
A graduate from Delhi University, joined the joined the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in 1988. He has served in Indian Embassies and Consulates in seven countries – Afghanistan, Switzerland, Angola, Uzbekistan, United Kingdom, Romania and Afghanistan. Currently based in Zagreb, Croatia as the Second Secretary Culture and Head of Chancery in the Embassy of India. Is an active sportsman including Kabaddi, Volleyball and Football. Promotes Indian Culture and sports wherever he is attached to and also started a cricket team in Romania.
TECHNICAL COMMISSION
Chairman: Dr Ishwar Angadi
Dr Ishwar Angadi is based in Dharwad, Karnataka, India and runs his own Kabaddi Academy. He has post-graduate qualifications, namely Masters in Physical Education and Doctorate in Sports Psychology. Was a former player and coached various state and the Malaysian national team. He served as a senior kabaddi coach at SAI Bangalore and later Head of its Dharwad Center. Has published various kabaddi related research articles on technical, kinesthetic and educational ethos etc. He also assisted the World Kabaddi in drafting its latest games rules as well as now working on the new Coaching Manual.
UNIVERSITY KABADDI COMMISSION
Chairman: Purna Singh Pohara
Purna Singh Pohara holds a Masters in Sociology and a degree in Law. He is the General Secretary of University Sports Association of Nepal (USAN) and also the Secretary General of South Asian University Sports (SAUSF). He also serves as the Asian University Sports Federation (AUSF) Assessor. He is also involved in various sports including taekwondo, woodball, gymnastics. A lawyer, he is also the founder of the Nepal College of Sports Management
Deputy Chairman: Wei Xing-mei
Wei Xing-mei is actively involved in guiding young players to take up kabaddi in Taiwan. She is the manager of the kabaddi programme at the Hsuan Chuang University. The university has produced a number of Taiwanese national players. She is also the chairman of the Abeca Kabaddi Club as well as the Hsinchu City Kabaddi Association.
Secretary: Gabriel Sacchi
Gabriel Sacchi hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina. He is an English teacher and has been involved in different sports including basketball, football, cycling, athletics and crossfit. He picked up kabaddi late on and played for the Argentinian national team. He still plays as as a left corner in Lobos Kabaddi Argentina kabaddi team. ¨
COMPETITIONS COMMISSION
Chairman: Dr Osama Said
Dr Osama Said is the founder and president of Egyptian Kabaddi Federation. He has a doctorate in Sports Science. He was the Head Coach for the Egyptian wrestling team the last two Olympics. A lecturer in Training and Competition Management at the Egyptian Olympic Academy of Sports as well as with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Deputy Chairman: Moinul Islam
Moinul Islam is the founder of Outta Skool which offers multi-sports to underprivileged young people. Moinul has developed and delivered Kabaddi as a GCSE Physical Education Syllabus and been delivering for last 15 years. He has also developed Tag Kabaddi within international rules. Moinul is currently the National Kabaddi Development Officer for England Kabaddi Association
DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION
Chairman: Major Lee Baines
Major Lee Baines is the strategic military civil engagement planning officer for the Army in Scotland and was previously the Staff Officer lead for Defence Culture and Languages. He has commanded at platoon and company level in training organisations dealing with complex disciplinarily issues, workplace conflict management and disciplinary policy. He established the British Army’s Apprenticeship College’s rehabilitation and disciplinary policy and delivery team.
Secretary: Satnam Bains
Satnam Bains hails from Auckland, New Zealand. Graduated with Bachelor of business majoring in accounting. Successfully running his own business in New Zealand. Holds a number of governance roles in non profit organisations. Is also involved in sport’s tournaments and Kabaddi development in the country.
CIRCLE KABADDI COMMISSION
Deputy Chairman: Tejinder Singh
Tejinder Singh is a well known circle kabaddi promoter in India. He was the Organising Secretary of the World Cup in Punjab. He is the current vice President of the Shiromani Akali Dal. He is the ex-Chairman of the Punjab State Co-op Agriculture Development Bank Ltd Chandigarh. He is also the Director National Agricultural Co-operative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED)
Secretary: Arbab Naser Ahmad Khan
Arbab Naser Ahmad Khan is the president of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Kabaddi Association in Pakistan. A former player, he has been involved in the promotion and development kabaddi for three decades. He is also a qualified kabaddi technical official and has officiated in various international events. Arbab is also actively involved in the Pakistan Traditional Sports and Games Association. ¨
MEDIA COMMISSION
Chairman: Pradeep Mandhani
Based in New Delhi, Pradeep Mandhani started his career as a sports photojournalist in 1983. With 30 years’ international experience leading and contributing to the development and implementation of sports participation programmes within India. Founded his own management outfit working in close collaboration with internal and external partners to facilitate the enhanced engagement of Sports personalities and fitness celebrities. Extensive experience in planning and project management on a global landscape, including operational delivery at many ICC events and the IPL.
Deputy Chairman: Abdel Moneim Salem Mohammed Zaheda
Based in Palestine, he did his post graduate studies in Public Relations and Media. He is the director of Hawana TV in Palestine. He is founder and president of the Palestinian Public Relations Forum. Has served in various organisations including in the Palestinian Universities Sports Federation, Palestinian Sports for All Federation, Palestine Sports Media Committee. He has been a reporter, writer and sports analyst since 1980.
Secretary: Devi Kaur Titreaa
Devi Kaur Titreaa is a Business Advisor with BBC and holds a Degree in Mutimedia Technology. Former employee ITV and currently working with BBC with over 16 years experience. In depth broadcasting process and functionality knowledge. Has worked across several platforms within the Business Management Area, current role is as Business Advisor to iPlayer & Sounds; both substantial audience facing applications, which are expanding platforms within the media sector.
Member: Kaustabh Sarkar
With more than 67,000 followers on his Youtube channel, Kaustabh Sarkar is one of the strongest social media influencers for kabaddi in India. In his channel – KabaddiGuru, started in 2018, he analyses and discuss the history and current affairs of Kabaddi. He is also currently pursuing his diploma in in Sport Science.
PLAYERS COMMISSION
Co-Chairman: Simon Kibura
Started his playing career in 2013 in circle kabaddi style and represented Kenya at the Circle Kabaddi World Cup in Punjab. In 2014 he was first picked for the Pro Kabaddi League and was also selected for the 2019 IIPKL. Instrumental in establishing a number of clubs in Kenya. Was also sent to Uganda to introduce and train kabaddi players in Uganda. The national captain formed the TAK kabaddi in 2017 and is coach and a player for the team.
Co-Chairman: Emily Ho Yan Yee
Emily Ho Yan Yee has been the national women’s captain of the Hong Kong side since its formation. The Bachelor of Sports and Recreation degree holder is currently awaiting to pursue her Masters. She is also a holder of the Level B Kabaddi Coaching Certificate from Taiwan Kabaddi Association. Apart from that she is also a qualified technical officials having passed the Level One Technical Official from World Kabaddi.
WORLD KABADDI EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2018-2022
President: Ashok Das (Eng)
Vice Presidents: Dr MV Prasad Babu (Ind), Col John Anthony Jackson (Eng), Jagjit Singh Gurm (Aust), Harish Kumar Singh (Mri)
Secretary: S.T. Arasu (Mas)
Treasurer: Triana Alonso (Mex)
Executive Committee: Tara Singh Bains (Nzl), Wyman Tan (Hkg), Basim Alghali (Irq), Perpetual Muthoni Mbutu (Ken), Parminder Sharma (Can), Prem Singh (Sco)