Andhra Pradesh pipped West Bengal to the title in the Walton International Invitational Women’s Kabaddi tournament with an exciting 25-25 win at the Kabaddi Stadium on Thursday.
West Bengal led the first half by 16-11 points but Andhra Pradesh came back in the second half with some inspired display to clinch the crown. Earlier in the group stage, it was West Bengal who defeated Andhra Pradesh by 37-33 points.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation finished third after overcoming Assam by 16-11 points on the same day.
Controversy surrounded the third-place deciding match between BJMC and Assam after it was alleged that the Bangladeshi referees illegally awarded a point to the home side.
It was also claimed that the referees ended the first half three minutes before the scheduled time.
Abul Fazle Sayeed, an official of the Assam team, later told reporters that their defeat was down to some mediocre decisions.
Nazrul Islam, general secretary of the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation, however, said that they conducted the tournament according to international rules and regulations and that there should be no complaint from any team.
-With New Age input
