New Delhi, April 8 (FN Agency) Army Red have won the Inter Services Kabaddi Championship, while Air Force stood runners-up here at Base Repair Depot, Palam under the aegis of the Services and Air Force Sports Control Board on Thursday. A total of four teams comprising 68 players from all three services – two from Army and one each from Navy and Air Force participated in the event, which was inaugurated by Air Cmde A Chaturvedi on Monday. Air Cmde S S Rehal, Air Officer Commanding, Base Repair Depot, AF Station Palam was the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony. He expressed his pleasure in knowing that a number of participants had made their mark in the Pro-Kabaddi League platform. He further urged all players to continue working hard and endeavour to forge the name of their service and country on the international sports front.
The event was also graced by Arjuna Awardee Ram Mehar Singh and Dronacharya Awardee Balwan Singh. The Services have played an important role in the popularisation of the sport of kabaddi. The best players in the country are often from the services, some of which are Sgt Naveen Kumar, Sgt Vikas Jaglan, Sgt Ajay Kumar from IAF, Chief Petty Officers Surjeet Singh Narwal and Bharat Naresh of the Indian Navy, and Havaldar Jaideep Sharma of the Army. Naveen is the first player to feature in Pro Kabaddi and is also the fastest player to reach 500 raid points in the league’s history. The 21-year-old achieved the feat in December 2021, taking just 47 games to reach the landmark. Vikas is a professional kabaddi player, who plays as an all-rounder for Patna Pirates in Pro Kabaddi League.
Ajay is the former captain of the national team. He made his Pro Kabaddi debut with Jaipur Pink Panthers in season 4 and is currently playing his trade with Gujarat Giants. Surjeet was a member of the national team that won gold medal in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. He was also the captain of Puneri Paltan and played for Tamil Thalaivas in Pro Kabaddi season 8. Bharat is among the most talented young raiders of Pro Kabaddi 8. He was signed by Bengaluru Bulls for Rs 10 lakh. Jaideep, who is a left corner defender, started his career in Pro Kabaddi 5 with Patna Pirates.