AP men's Kabaddi team loses before semi finals

NELLORE: Contrary to hopes, the AP men’s team could not make it to the semi-finals of the ongoing National Invitation Kabaddi Tournament being held in Tirupati.

In the closely fought first quarter-final match on Saturday night, Sahasra Seema Bal (SSB) defeated Andhra by four points, thereby eliminating the host state from the semi-finals. AP women’s team has entered the quarter-finals and will next play Karnataka.

In the other men’s quarter-final matches, Himachal Pradesh defeated Karnataka 47-23 and Haryana beat Jammu & Kashmir 46-43. Deswal Academy beat Navy by four points (47-43) to enter the semis.

In the women’s quarter-final matches, SSB defeated Corporation Bank 74-29 in a one-sided game. Haryana beat West Bengal by 43 points while Himachal Pradesh trounced Eastern Railways 65-17.

The semi-finals and finals will be held on Sunday followed by the closing and prize distribution ceremonies. Top teams among both men and women will receive 3.5 lakh in cash prize, the highest after Pro-Kabaddi League.

The runners-up among men and women categories will get 2.5 lakh each and those standing third will receive 1.75 lakh each.

The best player of the tournament among men will be presented a motorcycle while the topper among women given a Scooty.