NEW DELHI: Mohali has got the nod to be the host for the semi-finals and finals of the Wave World Kabaddi league.
Mohali drew huge crowds in the WKL bonanza four weeks ago. The four-day Kabaddi feast was a runaway success from October 2 to 5 over the long weekend coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. The weekend witnessed eight action packed matches.
The final was originally planned for Mohali but then Lahore came into the picture later on.
But looking at the overwhelming audience response in the October weekend, the Governing Council of Wave WKL in a recent meeting decided to hold the finals at International Hockey Stadium in Mohali.
The WKL, which is now in its last stages of the League matches, was inaugurated in London and then travelled to Birmingham, before returning to India, where the crowd response has been terrific.
The matches have so far been held in New Delhi, Ludhiana, Bathinda, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Mohali and Bhopal. Of these venues, Jalandhar and Bathinda have had two stints and now Mohali gets to host the final matches.
Featuring eight teams and comprising players from different countries, the teams have so far played 64 matches and there are still 20 more league games to go before the final matches.
The top four teams in the League will qualify for the play-offs with the first placed team playing the No. 3 team in first semi-final and the second playing against fourth-placed side. The final between the winners of the two semis will be preceded by a match for third place.
Currently, the League is being led by Khalsa Warriors, who have 31 points from 18 matches. California Eagles are placed second with 20 points from 17 matches and United Singhs are third at 18 points from 16 matches.
Punjab Thunder (17 points from 16 matches), Lahore Lions (12 points from 14 matches), Vancouver Lions (12 points from 16 matches), Yo Yo Tigers 9 points from 14 matches) and Royal Kings USA (9 points from 17 matches) follow.
Each team will play a total of 21 League matches, before the four toppers are decided. Only Royal Kings USA are out of running for a place in the semis, while Khalsa Warriors are the only team assured of a place in last four.
The next set of matches will be held in Ludhiana from November 7 to 10. Lahore Lions, which could not play in Bhopal due to visa issues, will also play in Ludhiana.