The Dandamudi Rajagopala Rao Indoor Stadium will be fully air-conditioned, albeit temporarily, for the nine-day Kabaddi Premier League (KPL) championship that will be held from June 8 to 16 to help both players and the spectators beat the heat and humidity, according to KPL chairman K.P. Rao.
Speaking to the mediapersons on Sunday, Mr. Rao said that technical officials from all over Andhra Pradesh had arrived to supervise the laying of the synthetic mats at the venue.
“They (technical officials) are taking steps for laying the mats as per the guidelines of the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI).
The teams will start arriving from Monday and the match officials will report on Tuesday. Local officials and volunteers are taking care of the pre-event issues such as arrangements at the venue, board and lodging for the players, officials, and their transportation,” he added. Mr. Rao said that a media centre with computers along with Internet facility would be provided for all the nine days. Vijayawada had hosted several national and international events in the past and, with the staging of KPL, the game will gain the patronage of the youngsters.
‘Top class play'
“KPL features majority of the international and national players from the country. The quality of play will be top class and the winning team will pocket Rs. 10 lakh. Never in the history of kabaddi was so much money awarded for the winner,” he pointed out.
He said the teams were given attractive names on IPL lines and also colourful attire.
“Delhi Dashers (red), Lanco Lion (black and yellow), Krishna Kings (navy blue), Hyderabad Horses (yellow), Haridwar Hunters (orange), Ongole Bulls (royal blue), Chennai Cheetas (green), and Rajasthan Raiders (grey, white and black) will vie for the top honours. Four matches will be played every day and with duration of around 55 minutes for each match,” he added.
