The International Kabaddi Federation is making serious efforts to see that the sport is included in the 2020 Olympics in the wake of the success story of the inaugural women's World Cup in Patna last week, according to K. Jagadishwar Yadav, general secretary of Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India.
Mr. Yadav told the media here on Wednesday that the IKF President J.S. Gehlot, who also happens to be the president of AKFI, is going all out to meet the minimum requirement of getting at least 50 countries affiliated to the international body to press for introduction of the sport in the Olympics.
“The IOC has already identified eight disciplines, including kabaddi, as possible contenders for two new disciplines to be introduced in the 2020 Olympics,” Mr. Yadav said.
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“Right now we have 32 countries affiliated to the IKF including 18 in Asia, eight from Europe, two from Africa and one from America,” Mr. Yadav said.
“The IKF will be giving a power-point presentation to the IOC at its meeting in Switzerland this May,” he added.
“We have a dream — to see that India wins a team gold in Olympics in kabaddi. For that, we are going to take every possible initiative,” he said.
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“It is a matter of great pride that the Indian women team won the inaugural edition of World Cup in Patna.
“This also served a reminder of sorts to the Indian sports fraternity about the potential of kabaddi as a medal prospect at the highest level,” Mr. Yadav said.
Regarding cash incentives to the World Cup winning team, the AKFI general secretary felt that it was for the Government of India to make an announcement.
“The Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar not only ensured that the World Cup in Patna was a huge success but also promised to extend all possible support to the sport. He in fact saw to it that an exclusive indoor stadium was in place for this mega event,” he added.