Bhatkal: The thrilling and action-packed Nastar Trophy 2024 Floodlight District-Level Kabaddi Tournament concluded successfully late Monday night, with the Lion Team of Bhatkal defeating the formidable Mundgod team by four points in the final moments, clinching the coveted trophy. Mundgod secured the runner-up position. The nail-biting final match kept the thousands of kabaddi enthusiasts on the edge of their seats.

The Cosmos team from Bhatkal secured third place, while the Super Star team claimed fourth. The winning Lion Team was awarded ₹50,000 and the trophy, while the runner-up Mundgod team received ₹25,000. Teams finishing third and fourth were each awarded ₹10,000.

The tournament saw the participation of 25 teams, among which Lion Cosmos, Super Star, and Mundgod reached the semi-finals. Both the semi-finals and finals were so fiercely contested that it was hard to predict the winner until the last moments. Over 5,000 spectators filled the stadium, while thousands more watched the matches through live streaming.

Zufaif Armar of the Lion Team, who showcased outstanding raiding skills combined with remarkable catching, was awarded the Best All-Rounder. Mundgod's Janu Gaude, who led his team with exceptional raiding and frequent bonus points, was named the Best Raider. Mundgod's Jonty Siddhi, whose exceptional catching skills often turned the game in his team’s favor despite being short-handed on the field, received the Best Catcher award. The Best Disciplined Team award was given to Bhatkal's Madina Team, while Moosa Kasarkod of the same team was recognized as the Best Emerging Player.

Cosmos’ Sahil Amri and Al-Hilal’s Zakkar Ahmed Sharif also impressed kabaddi fans with their stellar raiding performances. Both players were noted for their ability to secure four to five points at crucial moments, often turning the tide of their matches.

The closing ceremony was graced by renowned kabaddi player and President of Majlis-e-Islah wa Tanzeem, Inayatullah Shahbandri, who spoke about the importance of kabaddi as a traditional sport. Several dignitaries from the Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation and other respected figures also attended the event.

Mohammed Laiq Ruknuddin, Sports secretary of the Sahil Youth Association, Nastar, which played a pivotal role in organizing the district-level kabaddi tournament for the first time, stated, "Kabaddi is an ancient traditional sport of India that symbolizes physical agility, brotherhood, and unity. The aim of this tournament was to promote Hindu-Muslim harmony and encourage youth to return to sports."

He added, "For quite some time, kabaddi tournaments had not been organized in Bhatkal, resulting in youth distancing themselves from the sport and getting addicted to mobile phones, but through this tournament, we aimed to address these challenges."

Laiq concluded by expressing gratitude, saying, "With the patronage of the Bhatkal Muslim Youth Federation and the support of both Muslim and non-Muslim brothers, we successfully organized this tournament. It not only reignited enthusiasm for sports but also fostered a spirit of unity and brotherhood in the town, for which we are thankful to the Almighty."