'Let's make Wolverhampton England's Kabbadi capital': MPs host celebrate success of city's World Cup
A senior councillor said he hoped Wolverhampton would become the Kabbadi capital of England after hosting the World Cup earlier this year.
Councillor Chris Burden, the council's cabinet member for city development, was speaking after two city MPs hosted an event at Parliament celebrating the sport and the legacy after the World Cup in March.
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England Kabbadi player John Dunlop was among the stars invited to Parliament for the event, hosted by Wolverhampton West MP Warinde rJuss and Wolverhampton North East MP Sureena Brackenridge.
It brought together players, organisers, and community leaders to reflect on the sport’s remarkable growth after the city hosted the Kabaddi World Cup.
The championship in March, which also saw matches in Birmingham, Coventry, and Walsall, represented the first time it had been held outside Asia, and attracted a global audience of millions.
Councillor Burden said: "We want Wolverhampton to be the home of Kabbadi in England. This event shows the amazing influence Kabaddi can have in building community and opportunity.”
The World Cup Final was hosted at Aldersley Stadium, where India triumphed over England in both the men's and women's games. Scotland took the bronze medal in the men's category.
Mr Juss said. "It was a great honour to have the World Cup in Wolverhampton West at WV Active Aldersley. To see Kabaddi move from parks to a world stage in our city is incredible. We now want Kabaddi in schools and communities across the UK because it’s a sport that promotes mental and physical health.”
Mrs Brackenridge added: “We were so proud to host the world championships as a city. It meant that we had nearly a billion views on Wolverhampton. All those eyes translate to pounds, which helps drive the local economy."
Ashok Das, acting president of World Kabaddi, also attended the event, where he praised the legacy of the tournament."
“This is the first World Cup outside Asia. This means that Kabaddi is growing. We want young people to come forward and play, to become role models for their communities.”
Male and female competitors from across Africa, Asia, Oceania, the Americas and Europe took part part in the tournament.
England men’s player Dunlop said: “Kabaddi is a fantastic sport. The World Cup was amazing, and it’s great to be here reliving those memories and meeting the people who made it happen.”
The Kabaddi World Cup was supported by Paddy Power, the UK Government’s Commonwealth Games legacy enhancement fund, and the University of Wolverhampton, with matches broadcast globally across nine television networks.
