Host Andhra Pradesh telecom team began their quest to emerge winners of the three-day 14th All India BSNL Kabaddi Tournament, by defeating Kerala by a big margin of 39-8 at Railway Stadium here on Wednesday.
Andhra Pradesh, with national player G. Prasad in the team, crushed the Southern rival while Haryana inflicted a 50-29 victory over Tamil Nadu. In the other mach Karnataka handed over Kerala, its second defeat, 40-19.
The three-day kabaddi event was inaugurated by chief guest Additional Divisional Railway Manager N.S.R. Prasad in which several telecom officials such as Senior General Manager, Krishna Telecom District, V. Sundar and Chief General Manager (HR) George Marshall took part.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Mr. Prasad asked the players to play in the true spirit of sportsmanship. “Winning or losing is not important. How we play the game in vital,” he added.
Mr. Sundar said that the tournament was conduced with an estimated expenditure of Rs. 9 lakhs and the winners will carry home Rs. 50,000. “The runner-up will pocket Rs. 20,000. We are also giving best player awards along with mementoes. We decided to host shuttle badminton last year in Vijayawada. But owing to unrest in the State because of bifurcation, we shifted it to Hyderabad,” he added.
Mr. George Marshall said sportspersons, who joined BSNL in sports quota, are given special provisions to practice and are offered training under well-known coaches. “Mostly, sportsmen who retire from services are taking up the jobs of coaches.”
He said BSNL was hosting sports events in 16 segments along with cultural events and various States would host them on rotation. “After kabaddi, BSNL will host chess at Gujarat followed by shuttle badminton at Himachal Pradesh,” he pointed out.
