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New Delhi, September 11: A Chinese delegation, led by Liang Yong, who is the deputy director of Venues and Overlays Department of the Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (GAGOC), was in New Delhi last week to study, deliberate and discuss the conduct kabaddi during the 2010 Games where the sport would be making its comeback.
Kabaddi was not part of the Doha Games in 2006. It was introduced in Hiroshima in 1994. The delegates who met the officials of the Indian Olympic Association, including president Suresh Kalmadi and secretary-general Randhir Singh during their visit and also interacted with the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) officials. During the deliberation, the delegates were sufficiently briefed by AKFI president Janardan Singh Gehlot besides making a visual presentation on the conduct of the games, and explaining the rules and regulations that govern it.
The AKFI also organised a match for the delegates to view at the IG Stadium, along with Asian Amateur Kabaddi Federation technical director E Prasad Rao and secretary-general Jagdishwar Yadav in tow. The GAGOC members also discussed on certain issues relating to the game and were later briefed on the technicalities involved in the sport as they watched the game.
Pleased with the presentation, Li Naizhen, a deputy director with Guangzhou sports department, said the trip was educative enough for the delegation as they were preparing to bring back the sport in Guangzhou.
“Whatever little we learnt here will be tried out during practice in some matches that we will be organising on our return.
“We will also invite the Indian delegates to Guangzhou next year for a full demonstration before our technical officials in order to give them the feel of match situations,” said Naizhen. Yong was impressed with the game and said China will prepare their team for the Games. “I think the sport will be a great hit back home.” |