Women's teams to feature in kabaddi World Cup

Badal said that the prize money has been increased from Rs.10 million to Rs.20 million for the winning team. The runners-up will take home Rs.10 million while the team finishing third will get Rs.5 million.

India, the US, Britain, Iran and Canada will field their women's team, Badal said.

Reviewing the arrangements for the Cup at a meeting with senior sports department and other sporting association officials, Badal said that there was a need to encourage women's kabaddi teams.

The winner in the women's section will bag Rs.2.5 million and the runner-up Rs.1.5 million while all participating teams will get Rs.1 million.

Badal said it was the first time that any women's kabaddi international tournament was offering such big prize money.

Pakistan, Iran, Canada, USA, Britain, Italy, Australia, Spain, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Norway, Taiwan, Argentina and the Irish Army have confirmed their participation in the men's event.

All matches will be staged in 12 floodlit stadiums across Punjab, mostly in rural areas, and will be telecast live on regional television channels. The opening ceremony with be at the Bathinda stadium while the finals will be played at Ludhiana. Badal said that dope tests would be conducted on all players.