ISLAMABAD - All the arrangements have been finalised for the first International Beach Kabaddi Tournament being commence from today (Monday) at the PSB centre. This was announced by the President of Asian Kabaddi Federation and Secretary Pakistan Kabaddi Federation Rana M Sarwar in a joint press conference at the PSB Media centre on Sunday. Afghanistan Kabaddi Federation Secretary Ahmed Fardeen Ziaee was also present at the occasion. The three-day event will be participated by Iran, Afghanistan and nine departmental teams of Pakistan including Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh, KP, Wapda, PAF, Navy, Army and Police. The teams have been divided into two pools. The tournament will be played on knockout-cum-league basis. Giving details of the event, Sarwar said they had invited Sri Lanka and they confirmed their participation but due to the elections of their federation, the ad-hoc body decided not to send Lankan team to Pakistan. Replying to a question about Railways exclusion, as they had confirmed to take part in the event, he said Railways withdrew their team sighting personal reasons. Sarwar further said Pakistan kabaddi team had been trained very hard and was quite hopeful that the national team would come up to the expectations of the Federation and the people. To a query that if Iran or Afghanistan team won the event, who would be the national champion, he said the national team which remained second best would be declared the national champion. The International Beach Kabaddi event will start at 5pm today and Pakistan Sports Board Director General Syed Amir Hamza Gillani will inaugurate the event, CDA Chairman, Imtiaz Inayat Elahi will be the chief guest on second day while federal Minister for Industries Ch Pervaiz Elahi will be the chief guest on the concluding ceremony and gave away the prizes and trophies to the teams and players, he added. There is no cash award for the participating teams as certificates and trophies will be given at the concluding ceremony, Sarwar said. Speaking on the occasion, Afghanistan Kabaddi Federation Secretary Ahmed Fardeen Ziaee thanked the people of Pakistan for their unconditional support and said whenever the Afghanistan Kabaddi Federation hired an international coach they would prefer Pakistan. "Due to lack of infrastructure and funds we have not hired any coach as yet and I am also doing the coaching of the national team," he concluded. Sarwar said all the security and other arrangements had been finalised and the event would start as per its schedule. Referring to Iranian team's absence, Sarwar said their flight was delayed and the team was in Dubai adding that they would reach Islamabad on Sunday evening. "We are in close contact with them. The event will go ahead according to plan," he concluded.