PHNOM PENH — Two officials from the Malaysia Kabaddi Federation (MKF) have been appointed to senior roles in Kabaddi Asia as vice president and assistant secretary.
MKF president Paul Selvam Devadoss is one of the newly appointed vice presidents of Kabaddi Asia, while MKF secretary S. Devanathan now serves as the assistant secretary of the Asian governing body, which operates under the World Kabaddi umbrella.
Delegates from 14 Asian nations participated in an online general body meeting yesterday to elect the new leadership team ahead of the Kabaddi World Cup, scheduled to be held in England from March 17–23 next year.
The tournament will take place across Wolverhampton, Walsall, Birmingham, and Coventry.
In his address at the meeting, World Kabaddi secretary-general S.T. Arasu expressed confidence that the new leadership would bolster the sport in Asia.
“Asia is the cradle of World Kabaddi, and a strong Asia will also reflect on a stronger global presence.
“I am confident Kabaddi Asia will focus on developing the sport at all levels, including organising technical and coaching courses for national federations and expanding the tournament calendar,” said Arasu.
Sheikh A. Rahman Mubarak A.H. Al-Thani of Qatar has been appointed as the new president of Kabaddi Asia and will automatically serve as a vice president of World Kabaddi.
Paul will work alongside other vice presidents Wyman Tang (Hong Kong), Ashok Kumar (India), and Anura Pathirana (Sri Lanka).
Singapore’s Maran Chakrapani is the new secretary-general, while Wang Tzu Wen (Chinese Taipei) takes on the role of treasurer.
The newly elected committee members are Tayyab Gilani (Pakistan), Samiullah Mussaraf (Afghanistan), Shiva Sainju (Nepal), Abed Almonem (Palestine), and Sok Ang (Cambodia).
Arasu also revealed that discussions are ongoing with the All India Kabaddi Federation to host the Kabaddi Asia Championships in 2025.
At the upcoming Kabaddi World Cup, Malaysia, who finished fourth in the men’s competition in 2019, are in the same group as hosts England, Poland, and Cameroon.
India, winners of the men’s inaugural World Cup held in Melaka in 2019, remain the favorites to claim both the men’s and women’s titles.
World Cup Draws:
Men’s
———–
Group A: England, Malaysia, Poland, Cameroon.
Group B: Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Scotland, Egypt.
Group C: India, China, USA, Tanzania.
Group D: Pakistan, Taiwan, Italy, Kenya.
Women’s
————–
Group A: England, Hong Kong, Poland, Tanzania.
Group B: India, Egypt, Scotland, Kenya.
— December 23, 2024