“Khuda da khauf khao. Ae kabaddi karvaun dahe ho……Unjh hi sadi team nu bahar kadh deo…” (Have fear of God. Do you call this kabaddi? It is better you declare us losers without waiting for the results).
These were the words of the Pakistan kabaddi coach Hyad Gill to the Indian team and Kabaddi World Cup (KWC) officials at the time when Pakistan men’s team was leading by four points in the stunning final match of the 5th KWC played at the multi-sports stadium at Badal village on Saturday.
Pakistan maintained the lead in the match till the last minute. The Indian team caught up and levelled the score 41-41. Then, suddenly Indian men took the lead and won the match in the last two minutes 45-42. The victory was later marred by allegations of favoritism and bias.
Pakistan team captain Ahmed Shafiq Chisti alleged favouritism. “If this is the way the matches are going to be played and decided, we will not participate in the tournament,” he said.
Gill said he was keeping a “watch” on the activities going on near the Indian team gallery.
Onlookers said while the match was on, he objected saying OIL and balm had been rubbed on the bodies of Indian players and they were being provided water.
An Indian player, who was allegedly giving the players water, jumped outside the ring, said an onlooker. At this point, WKC coordinator Puneet Chandhok asked the Pakistan team coach to go to his side. “You can complain about it,” he said.
Then, almost justifying their actions, an Indian player said in anger, “Is your team doing everything right?” Undeterred, Hyad could be seen objecting and the police repeatedly trying to keep him away from the Indian team.
Pakistani players also alleged that the crowd mismanagement too “helped” the Indian team get away with playing foul. Hundreds from among the audience had spilled over on to the grounds near the match gallery. This too led to confusion.
Documentary on CM
During the closing ceremony, the audience was shown a documentary on the life of Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal. The documentary was especially prepared for the closing ceremony.
