Over Rs 20 lakh will be distributed to the teams as well as players during the first Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Cup State Level Kabaddi Tournament for men and women which begins from April 30 at Sevanand Vidyalaya, Koradi. The tournament, which will be organised in Nagpur district for first time in 19 years, will be organised by Deputy Director of Sports and Youth Services in association with Nagpur Amateur Association of Kabaddi and Nagpur Rural Kabaddi Association. Addressing a press conference State Revenue Minister and Guarding Minister of Nagpur Chandrashekhar Bawankule stated that 16 teams each in men and women will be taking part in the tournament.

 

“A total of 448 players and officials will be part of this tournament which will conclude on May 4,” informed Bawankule. “The tournament will be played on league-cum-knock-out basis and each team will receive cash prize irrespective of their positions in the competition. The winners in each category will get Rs 1,50,000 while the runners-up teams will get Rs one lakh,” informed Pallavi Dhatrak, Deputy Director of Sports and Youth Services (Nagpur Division). “Matches will be played on four mat courts and will be streamed live on LED screens. With temperature hovering around 45 degree Celsius it was decided to hold matches in the evening session only under lights,” added Bawankule. “Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Sunetra Ajit Pawar will be the guests for inaugural function.

 

Union Minister of Sports (State) Raksha Khadse will also remain present during the competition,” Bawankule informed. Nagpur Rural Kabaddi Association President Sanket Bawankule said that they are expecting star players of Pro Kabaddi League to participate in the tournament. Participating teams: Men: Alhiyanagar, Kolhapur, Raigad, Pune, Sangli, Mumbai Upnagar, Aurangabad, Thane, Nashik, Mumbai City, Beed, Nanded, Amravati, Bhandara, Nagpur, Washim. Women: Mumbai Upnagar, Mumbai City, Pune, Ratnagiri, Palghar, Kolhapur, Nashik, Thane, Nanded, Jalna, Satara, Parbhani, Nagpur, Amravati, Washim, Nagpur Rural.