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.
