Federation Cup Kabaddi in Mumbai from May 6

Mumbai, May 03: Indian Railways, reigning champions in both the men's and women's sections, would look to extend

their domination when they battle it out in the 27th Federation Cup Kabaddi Tournament to be held at Shivaji Park in Dadar from May 6. Offering a total prize money of Rs 2.5 lakh, the five-day tournament is being organised by the Maharashtra State Kabaddi Association, in memory of player Shankarrao Salvi. Along with last year's runners-up services, former champions Maharashtra and Punjab are expected to be tough rivals for the Railway side in the men's segment. Playing at home, the formidable Maharashtra team would seek to regain the honours which they had last won in 2004 while in the women's section, the hosts too would look to turn things around by ending the Railways' domination. The tournament, conducted under the auspices of Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India, will feature the top eight state sides of the country in either section. Equal prize money has been allotted to either section with the winners and runners-up to receive Rs 51,000 and Rs 31,000 respectively. Teams have been divided into two pools for a quarter final league from where two from each pool would make the semi-finals, to be played on the penultimate day of the event. Four matches are scheduled on the first three days with the finals to be played on May 10. The third-place match will be played before the summit clash. In men's section, Maharashtra figures in Pool B where the other teams are Punjab, Delhi and Chandigarh. Pool A comprises Indian Railways, Uttar Pradesh, Services and BSNL. Bureau Report