Bhatkal: A three-day state-level day-and-night kabaddi tournament, titled the Gandabherunda Kabaddi Tournament and named after the mythical two-headed bird symbolising strength and power, will be held in Bhatkal from November 27 to 29, with 10 teams from across Karnataka set to compete.

The tournament will be organised under the leadership of the Karnataka State Amateur Kabaddi Association, in association with the Uttara Kannada District Amateur Kabaddi Association, at KP Ground near the Ice Factory in Venkatapur, Bhatkal.

Announcing the event at a joint press conference, tournament organising committee chairman Inayatullah Shabandari, who is also president of the local social organisation Majlis-e-Islah-wa-Tanzeem and a well-known former kabaddi player from Bhatkal, and district association president Shridhar Naik said teams from Uttara Kannada, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Haveri, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Ballari, Vijayanagara, Davanagere and Chitradurga districts would participate.

The tournament is expected to feature several prominent players with experience in the Pro Kabaddi League and national-level competitions.

The organisers said seating arrangements would be made for around 5,000 spectators at the venue. Accommodation and meals would also be provided for all participating players.

Beena Vaidya, a director of Bhatkal Urban Co-operative Bank, is the principal sponsor of the tournament.

The organisers said the event was being held with the aim of promoting communal harmony and fostering unity through sports.

Bhatkal Amateur Kabaddi Association president Rauf Naite, Venkatesh Naik, Azizur Rahman Nadvi, Jaffer Hyder and Prakash Naik were also present at the press conference.