Wolverhampton community arts weekend kicks of Kabaddi World Cup
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
Belfast Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
NI midfielder will be on Premier League radar after hot start to season, believes Michael O'Neill
Price, who moved to West Brom from Standard Liege in January, has scored three times in two League games, taking the Baggies to second spot in the table. That electric form mirrors what he has delivered for Northern Ireland, netting nine goals in just 22 internationals. 'The position that he plays for us is probably where West Brom are starting to see him play,' said O'Neill at his squad announcement for next month's World Cup games in Luxembourg and Germany. 'He's arriving in the box, he's scoring from outside the box. He gives you great athleticism as well. His versatility is a good thing to have. 'I think that there's no better thing than a player that can change a game and change key moments in a game, and Isaac's doing that on a consistent basis. That's going to make him very much in the eyeline of a lot of clubs. 'He'll believe that he's going to a club that can get promotion to the Premier League. 'I believe he is a Premier League player and the most important thing is that he keeps playing the way he is.' Asked if he felt that Premier League clubs would be looking at Price, who did play for Everton as a teenager in the top flight prior to his move to Standard Liege in 2023, O'Neill said: 'Well, I know how clubs operate. So, if you've got a 21-year-old that's scored nine goals in 22 (caps) and you're not looking at him, you're not doing your job very well. 'So I'd assume that, yeah, these players are watched and I know they're watched.'
Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Scotsman
Steve Tandy opens up on leaving Scotland, Gregor Townsend, Wales job and Louis Rees-Zammit return
Former Scotland coach opens up on move and future Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Steve Tandy has admitted it was tough to leave Scottish Rugby - but the lure of becoming head coach of Wales was just too strong. Welshman Tandy, 45, spent six years as a key member of Gregor Townsend's backroom staff before it was announced last month that he was heading home after being recruited by the Welsh Rugby Union to take charge of the national team. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking in Cardiff at his unveiling press conference, Tandy thanked the Scotland head coach for helping broaden his horizons during their time together. Steve Tandy is the new head coach of Wales. | Getty Images 'Leaving Scotland was really tough,' he said. 'There are not many jobs that I would have left Scotland for. Gregor has had a major influence on me. We are different people, I have a defence mindset and he had an attack mindset, so that shaped how we were going to defend. 'It opened up my mind and he was massive on getting out of your comfort zone and going to different places. For example, I went to Melbourne Storm and spent a month there, then you go to AFL. He was very much a curious person and always trying to think outside the box, building environments for boys to be themselves. 'The players were incredible to work with and then how Scotland made my family feel, with the support we got. It was tough to leave but that tells you about the excitement of this job. I am a passionate Welshman, I want Wales to be putting in performances that everyone can get behind.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tandy says it huge honour to coach Wales Tandy says Wales must show ambition to restore national pride after sliding down the world order. He becomes the first Welshman to coach the national side since 2007, at a time when Wales have slipped to 12th in the world rankings and had lost 17 successive matches before beating Japan last month in the final game of Matt Sherratt's interim reign. 'The privilege and the honour to be head coach of your national country is massive,' Tandy said. 'Being in the changing rooms is even better. I've got huge pride as a sense of family and what a great rugby nation it is. So, it's a feeling of absolute pride and an honour.' Wales were 2019 World Cup semi-finalists under Warren Gatland and Wayne Pivac's side won the 2021 Six Nations Championship. But Pivac's reign quickly unravelled and Gatland's return – the Kiwi had overseen a glorious chapter between 2007 and 2019 – produced no upturn in fortunes, with his departure coming during the 2025 Six Nations in February. Steve Tandy has words of praise for Gregor Townsend. | Getty Images The Welsh Rugby Union has stated it wants to see Wales in the top five in the world by 2029. But is that a realistic target given the problems facing the Welsh game at a time when four regions could be cut to two and the talent pool is shallow compared to rival nations? Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tandy said: 'I believe in the talent we have in Wales, to get us to where we want to go. There's not going to be a magic wand or a quick fix and then it all changes, but I do believe in the pathway. Ultimately you want to have ambition. We want to have ambition to meet those targets, but ultimately there's a process to get to that as well. 'We have to build performances incrementally. From campaign to campaign we have to be better and looking at how we can build that performance through the exciting group we've got.' Tandy on his coaching career Tandy won the Pro12 competition in six years at Ospreys but left the Welsh region in 2018. He worked for NSW Waratahs in Australia before moving to Scotland, while Gatland made him defence coach on the British and Irish Lions' 2021 tour of South Africa. 'The one thing that has really driven me from the start is I want to be the best person and the best coach I can possibly be,' Tandy said. 'Did I ever think I'd be a Lions coach? No. Did I ever think I'd coach the Waratahs? No. But I think it's surprising what happens when you have the mindset to be better and to understand as well you have got blind spots and you have got things to work on.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Tandy takes up his role on September 1 and will prepare for autumn home games against Argentina, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa - and he may be able to call upon Louis Rees-Zammit after the shock news he is quitting the NFL to return to rugby union. Louis Rees-Zammit has been playing with the Kansas City Chiefs. | Getty Images Tandy admitted that screamed in shock and told his daughter to pass him her phone after she read Rees-Zammit was returning to rugby union. He has has spent the last 18 months in the NFL after announcing in January 2024 that he would retire from rugby in order to pursue his American Football dream. The 32-times capped Wales wing signed an active roster deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the 2025 season after being part of their practice squad in 2024 – but Tandy now looks set to have the 24-year-old flier at his disposal after he announced his rugby return on social media. 'My oldest daughter told me, that was a bit worrying,' Tandy said. 'She said 'Zammit's coming home!' And I was like 'Aaaaaargh. Give me the phone!' That was how I found out. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Zammo brings a big effect' 'As a coach, you daydream. Coming back, you're obviously looking at what you've got. And then you look at what you could have. It's obviously a great boost for him, the game and the fans. It's great. 'Zammo brings a big effect and excitement by coming back. I think it's great for the game. He's gone away to experience something new, which is class. I'm sure he will be in outstanding physical condition. The more players we have available to represent our country the better. That's exciting and makes our jobs easier. 'It will also make our calls on selection a lot more challenging in terms of selection as we've already got some very good back three players.' Rees-Zammit has said there is a 'a load of interest' in his services but his rugby future remains unclear. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Welsh Rugby Union chief executive Abi Tierney said: 'I'm over the moon Louis is coming back to rugby because it gives us him for the national team. 'The challenge we've got is we're starting the season in September. You can have a look at what different teams are doing with their salary caps and their players.
Scotsman
6 hours ago
- Scotsman
Scotland have an opportunity to end Bryan Easson era on a high at Women's Rugby World Cup
Path to knockout stages for Scots after nadir of New Zealand Sign up to our Rugby Union newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland head south of the border for their latest World Cup tilt with plenty of pressure to banish the ghosts of three years ago. Bryan Easson's side walked away winless from the last edition in New Zealand, a nadir from which the experienced head coach has rebuilt the national side. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Easson will walk away from his role as head coach following the World Cup and will hope a trip to the knockout stages will be a key part of a lasting legacy. Scotland players and coach Bryan Easson during a squad announcement for the Women's Rugby World Cup at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, Scotland. | PA Path to the knockout stages A pool with Canada, Wales, and Fiji provides a good opportunity to do exactly that, though two wins and a fifth-place finish in the Six Nations earlier this year left plenty of areas marked 'room for improvement.' Two wins is what Scotland have earned from their past three Six Nations campaigns, following a winless wooden spoon performance in 2022 to pair with the frustrating World Cup campaign. It is a sign of steady progress to go with some good performances in WXV 2 that have yielded a title in 2023 and a runners-up place a year later. A look around the squad also provides encouragement, with the majority of players operating in England's Premiership Women's Rugby (PWR). It has yet to truly come together against top opposition, with Six Nations campaigns ultimately flattering to deceive, but a World Cup just down to the road offers the perfect chance to bring together all the hard work of the past few years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Their campaign begins in Salford against Wales, in what could well be the defining match of the pool. The Scots eked over the line in their previous meeting in the Six Nations, Helen Nelson's boot ultimately the difference amidst wretched conditions in a 24-21 win in Edinburgh. A repeat would ultimately be enough to seal Scotland's place in the knockouts, should they beat Fiji, but Easson will demand an improved performance having let Wales back into the contest back in March. Scotland's Rachel Malcolm during a squad announcement for the Women's Rugby World Cup at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, Scotland. | PA Toughest contest last With the winner likely taking all when it comes to qualification from Pool B, there are likely to be plenty of nerves jangling around Salford Community Stadium. Scotland then stay in Salford to take on Fiji. A 59-15 win in Edinburgh last year is evidence that this should be the simplest of the three tasks they face, though it would be remiss to dismiss a rapidly improving Fiji side who boast impressive sevens pedigree. Canada will then prove the toughest contest, but Easson's side will hope to head into the match with progression sewn up. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad If that is to happen, then Scotland will need their core of senior players to step up in what could be a final World Cup for some. They are led by captain Rachel Malcolm, who is part of a strong back row alongside No.8 Jade Konkel. Add in the impressive Evie Gallagher, who was shortlisted for Six Nations Player of the Championship in the spring, plus Rachel McLachlan and the breakdown should be an area of real strength for Easson. Twenty-one-year-old Alex Stewart adds further depth, and has an impressive story having been recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and coeliac disease. Sarah Bonar holds down the second row but fellow lock Hollie Cunningham is missing with a hamstring injury, meaning new Sale Sharks recruit Eva Donaldson could step into the void. Scotland's Emma Wassell during a squad announcement for the Women's Rugby World Cup at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, Scotland. | PA Emotional return for Emma It could also open up an emotional return for Emma Wassell, who returns to the fold after a health scare. The 30-year-old has been a stalwart of recent Scottish campaigns but discovered a benign tumour that required extensive surgery. It proved a unifying cause for the Scottish team, as team-mates regularly referenced Wassell's health issues during the most recent Six Nations campaign. A starring role at the World Cup would be a fitting end to that particular chapter of her story. Options at prop are lighter, but there is PWR experience in Leah Bartlett. The core cohort extends into the backs through Nelson, who will be charged with pulling the strings from fly-half. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Loughborough Lightning regular has a wealth of experience at international level, and her kicking will also be relied on in front of the posts. Youngster Hannah Ramsay will act as deputy and is likely to team up with Caity Mattinson in the half-backs, while the rest of the back line contains some exciting talent that could be amongst the breakout stars. Top of that list is electric winger Francesca McGhie, who caught the eye for Leicester Tigers in PWR last term. Her pace and try-scoring will be central to any progression. Experienced pair Rhona Lloyd and Chloe Rollie will round off the back three in what is another area of strength. Lisa Thomson adds further know-how in the centres, having been a regular since her debut in 2016 as well as representing Team GB at the Paris Olympics last summer. Alongside her, Emma Orr is another talented youngster set to come to the fore. The 22-year-old gained vital experience with Bristol Bears in the PWR last season and is now a firm fixture for Easson in midfield. The main question mark is depth, with experience at the top level thinning out significantly past the first XV. That could come into play later on in matches, especially up front, or if injuries begin to take their toll but Easson will hope his side still have enough to get the job done in Pool B. That will be the minimum aim as Easson looks to end his tenure at the top on a high. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A runners-up spot would likely set up a quarter-final with Auld Enemy England and victory there would be the mother of all upsets – though Easson would likely be content with further evidence of the forward strides his side have taken under his leadership.
