LAHORE: The Pakistan Kabaddi Federation (PKF) is quite optimistic that India will participate in the World Cup which is being held in three cities from Feb 12 to 18.

“The Pakistan government has already issued the NOC to issue visas for the Indian team and hopefully in a couple of days they will get receive them from the Pakistan High Commissioner in New Delhi,” PKF secretary Rana Sarwar told reporters here on Wednesday. “I don’t know what is going on the cricketing front but our process to invite India for the World Cup is on the way and hopefully they along with nine other foreign teams will be competing in the World Cup.”

He said this is the first time Pakistan will be hosting the World Cup, otherwise, India had been a constant host of this mega event.

He said the invitation was also extended to Australia, Great Britain, Canada, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kenya and Sri Lanka besides India.

Sarwar further said a national training camp is in progress in Islamabad for the last two months fr the mega event which will be staged in Lahore, Faisalabad and Gujrat.

He added the Punjab government is extending cooperation in making foolproof security arrangements.

Meanwhile, Pakistan head coach Tahir Waheed said all the players are quite fit and going through intensive training in the federal capital, before adding the best possible squad will be named for the World Cup.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2020