Wolverhampton community arts weekend kicks of Kabaddi World Cup
A celebration of culture and creativity will kick off the Kabaddi World Cup, which is being held in the West Midlands – the first time it has been hosted outside Asia.Community workshops have been held across the region, and activities, including drumming, flag and banner-making, are taking place at Wolverhampton Art Gallery this weekend.The workshops have been billed as a celebration of the World Cup, and the popular combative team sport, with "something for everyone to enjoy".The opening ceremony on Monday, which starts the week-long event, will include performances from Wolverhampton Music Service and a Bollywood dance troupe at the Aldersley Stadium.
There will also be a grand athlete procession led by representatives from Wolverhampton Wrestling Club.Event organisers said that more than 2,700 students have taken part in community workshops held at schools and cultural hubs so far.The gallery's community weekend is planned to bring communities together, centred around a South Asian market installation by artist Daya Bhatti.A spokesman said the programme had created "a lasting impact" and a "platform for cultural exchange and inclusion", that showed the power of sport and the arts could "unite communities, spark creativity and leave a lasting legacy."The game of Kabaddi involves teams of seven players that take turns sending a "raider" into the enemy's territory. The raider has to tag as many opponents as possible while chanting "kabaddi, kabaddi", without stopping.
Kabaddi World Cup West Midlands 2025 runs from 17 to 23 March and is set to feature men's and women's teams from across the world, including from India, Iran and Pakistan.Home nation teams from England and Scotland are also competing.Thousands of fans have bought tickets for the competition over seven days with more than 60 matches to be held across Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall and Wolverhampton.Events are expected to reach a TV audience of more than 250 million people across Europe.The tournament features men's and women's teams for only the second time - after the first took place in Malaysia in 2019, when India won both competitions.
Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool fans in agreement about Luis Diaz transfer after Argentina wonder goal
Luis Diaz has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona this summer, with the winger proving exactly why he is being chased with an incredible goal against Argentina on Tuesday night Liverpool fans have urged the club to keep hold of Luis Diaz after his wondergoal against Argentina. Diaz started as Colombia travelled to Buenos Aires for a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday night. The winger enjoyed another strong season at Liverpool, scoring 17 goals and notching eight assists as the Reds won the Premier League title. But he has been heavily linked with a move this summer. Barcelona are keen to sign the 28-year-old, despite Liverpool insisting he is not for sale and the fact he has another two years to run on his contract. Diaz proved exactly why Barca are chasing him on Tuesday. He opened the scoring for Colombia 24 minutes into Tuesday's game at the Estadio Mâs Monumental. It was an incredible goal, with Diaz picking up the ball midway into Argentina's half. He then drove forward, past Tottenham star Cristian Romero and three other Albiceleste defenders. That run also saw him cut inside the box to the penalty spot and he then slotted a finish low past Emi Martinez. It was a stunning goal and one which saw Liverpool fans urge their club against letting him go this summer. One fan said: "He deserves a new contract and better salary. Another added: "Quality player, if he played for someone else we'd be saying sign him. Fans shouldn't be forcing him out." A third claimed: "The price tag just went up to 100 million." A fourth joked: "And some of you want Anthony Gordon." A fifth added: "How people want Luis Díaz sold I will never know. A sixth insisted: "Keep Lucho beyond this summer. He's still got it all." While a final fan concluded: "If we didn't already have him, we would be in here calling for the club to sign him." Unfortunately for Diaz, his side were unable to see out the win. Thiago Almada rescued a point for the hosts with nine minutes to play, leaving boss Lionel Scaloni cutting a relieved figure. "I think the best thing about the team is their constant desire to try, which is always valuable," he said. "Beyond the fact that the opponent always makes things difficult for you, keep trying and looking to recover the ball quickly. "Everything that is the desire in the divided ball, not giving up any for lost... From that point of view it is something to be very, very satisfied. it is something that in football today is very important. "Especially if they are going to present us with games like this. We have to be alert, face them and I think that in that the team was present. Happy." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Chelsea exile four players from CWC squad but hand chance to young star
Andrey Santos has been named in Chelsea's Club World Cup squad with four players left out of the group travelling to the US. Chelsea and Manchester City will be the Premier League's representation at the revamped competition which gets underway on Sunday in Florida. Blues midfielder Santos will have a role to play following an excellent season on loan at Strasbourg. The Brazilian is the only member of Chelsea's vast loan army to return to the first-team squad for the Club World Cup hoping to be part of Enzo Maresca's plans next season. Central midfield is an area of the pitch where Chelsea are blessed with talent in with Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia battling for game time. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. 'In principle, I'm staying at Chelsea,' he told AS earlier this month. 'I want to play, I want to get minutes so I can earn my place at the World Cup. I want to establish myself at Chelsea, I want to play regularly and be an undisputed starter and win titles in this shirt.' Santos will hope game time in the US can solidify his place in the side ahead of the new Premier League season with new signings Liam Delap, Dario Essugo and Mamadou Sarr also in the squad. But the futures of a number of other Chelsea stars look bleak. Raheem Sterling, Joao Felix and Axel Disasi are among those to have been left out with the trio expected to leave Stamford Bridge this summer. Sterling and Felix endured thoroughly underwhelming spells away from the club on loan – Sterling spending the season at Arsenal and Felix shipped out to AC Milan just six months after returning to Stamford Bridge. Disasi joined Aston Villa on loan in January having been deemed surplus to requirements by Maresca. More Trending Goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic has also been left out of the squad. The goalkeeper excelled at Strasbourg alongside Santos last season but will have no role to play in the US despite Chelsea missing out on a deal to sign Milan sot stopper Mike Maignan. The Blues failed to agree a fee with the Rossoneri for their goalkeeper before Tuesday's transfer deadline. MORE: 'I would love that' – Liverpool urged to hijack £60m Manchester United transfer MORE: Benjamin Sesko's manager tells him to reject one club after Arsenal and Man Utd talks MORE: Thomas Partey breaks silence on Arsenal future and reacts to Martin Zubimendi transfer
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Just traumatised him on live TV' – Lionel Messi in very tense conversation with James Rodriguez during Argentina clash
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIONEL MESSI and James Rodriguez engaged in a heated war of words during Argentina's battle with Colombia last night. The Argentine superstar, 37, returned to international action despite his country having already comfortably qualified for next year's World Cup. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Lionel Messi exchanged words with James Rodriguez Credit: X 5 The veterans covered their mouths as they debated Credit: Alamy Lionel Scaloni's reigning world champions fell behind in the first half, courtesy of Luis Diaz's brilliant solo goal. The match became heated in the second period, with a series of flashpoints occurring in the final 20 minutes. Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez was sent off on 70 minutes for a high challenge on Kevin Castano. The horror kick left Castano bleeding from his head. In the aftermath of the incident, Messi engaged in a war of words with long-time rival James Rodriguez. Having battled for several years while playing for their countries, they were also on opposite sides of the El Clasico Real Madrid-Barcelona divide. The pair tried to cover their mouths during the conversation, although Argentine outlet TyC Sports claim to have made out some of their words. They claim that Rodriguez, 33, responded to Messi's initial comment by asking: "But why?" BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 5 Enzo Fernandez kicked Kevin Castano in the head 5 Castano was left with a brutal cut on his forehead The outlet then alleges that Messi said: "Yes, yes. You said we were helped in the final. "You talk a lot..." 'Do you want me to send you off' - Lionel Messi reaches boiling point with referee as Inter Miami woes worsen Messi is believed to have been referring to Argentina's 1-0 victory over Colombia in last year's Copa America final. Back in March, Rodriguez reflected on the match: "Due to external factors, I think we couldn't have been champions. "The referee had a big influence and didn't award us one or two penalties." The former Everton and Real Madrid star, who now plays for Club Leon in Mexico, refused to be drawn on his exchange with Messi after last night's match. Asked about the subject, the attacking midfielder said: "What happens on the pitch stays on the pitch." Reflecting on the incident, one fan joked on social media: "Forget the Enzo red card. Messi just traumatized James Rodriguez on live television with his words." While a second wrote: "Yeah… he said some harsh words to James and it pains me cause James seems like a genuinely nice guy." Shortly after his exchange with Rodriguez, Messi was surprisingly substituted, despite 10-man Argentina needing a goal. The move proved to be an inspired one, as his replacement Exequiel Palacios set up Thiago Almada's equaliser just a few minutes later. After the 1-1 draw, boss Scaloni revealed: "Leo wasn't going to come off, but he ended up coming off near the end. "He told me it was better for him to come off, and so we decided to change him. "The good thing we always showed, with 10 men and without Messi, is that we kept looking, not giving up on a ball. That makes us very satisfied." Just prior to going off, Messi had been involved in an altercation with Daniel Munoz. The former Barcelona star appeared to throw an elbow at the Crystal Palace man.
