Punjab is geared up to host the third Kabaddi World Cup championship at its multipurpose stadium in the dirtict of Bathinda from Saturday.

To add gleam to the inaugural ceremony of the World Cup Kabaddi Championship, the state government has invited Bollywood singer Himesh Reshammiya and actor Akshay Kumar.

Around twenty-three teams, including seven women kabaddi teams, will take part in the 14-day championship.

In the men's competition, there will be a total of four groups. Afghanistan, Denmark, England and India will be in Pool A; while Canada, Norway, New Zealand and Sri Lanka will be in Pool B. Pool C will be consisted of Italy, Pakistan, Sierra Leone and Scotland; while Pool D will be comprised of Argentina, Kenya, Iran and the US.

There will two pools in the women's category. Pool A will include Canada, Denmark and India, whereas Pool B will have teams from England, Turkmenistan, Malaysia and the US.

A day before the commencement of the championship, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal, accompanied by Education Minister & Punjab Kabaddi Association President Sikander Singh Maluka and Chief Parliamentary secretary Saroop Chand Singla, inspected the final arrangements made by the administration and the sports authority.

Mr. Badal claimed that detailed arrangements had been made to keep the tournament drug free. He said teams had been deputed by the National Anti Dope Agency (NADA) to conduct random dope tests to ensure drugs free championship.