BJP to conduct Modi Kabbadi League cup to celebrate PM's b’day

CHENNAI: BJP state president K Annamalai on Saturday said that the party would conduct the "Modi Kabbadi League Cup", a state-level Kabbadi tournament, to celebrate Prime Minister Narendra Modi birthday. The tournament will commence on September 17 on Prime Minister's birthday and end on the September 30.

“Starting from September 17, 2022, over 5,000 teams and 60,000 players, including national level players, will be participating in this Kabbadi tournament. The initial round of matches will happen in around 70 locations in the State and the knockout rounds, and the grand finale will be held in Madurai from September 28 to 30,” Annamalai said, unveiling the tournament conducted by the Youth Development and Sports Cell of the BJP.

He said that they decided to conduct the tournament to celebrate Prime Minister’s birthday considering sports and youths are loved by him. “This league will take our Narendra Modi’s vision of making sports a part of life,” he said. He said that everything connected to this sports league would be international standard with a generous prize of Rs 35 lakh for the top 4 teams and prize winners for district toppers would share Rs 1 crore.

Meanwhile, car and bike racing champion Alisha Abdullah joined the BJP in the presence of Annamalai here on Saturday. Alisha, the country's first female national racing champion, had joined the party inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's encouragement for sports, Annamalai claimed after admitting her into the party.

"I am very happy to welcome a true sporting icon and fabulous competitive racer today," Annamalai said. Describing her as an inspiring woman who had broken barriers in a sport dominated by men, he said.

Elated over being part of the BJP family, Alisha said she joined the party because of the recognition and respect leaders like Annamalai and Amar Prasad Reddy, president of BJP sports and skill development cell, have for her. "I promise to do my best to uplift more women," she said.