HUNDREDS descended on Blackburn's Witton Park as it was transformed into a Kabbadi stadium yesterday.

The Blackburn Kabbadi Club played host for the tournament against a side from Keighley, who went home winners 20-17.

Event co-ordinator Parwaiz Akhtar of Blackburn said the idea of the event was to promote Kabbadi - a traditional Asian game similar to rugby without a ball. It was also run to coincide with the Golden Jubilee of Pakistan's independence.

Event organiser Younis Pardeshi was responsible for the first Kabbadi tournament in Blackburn in 1969.

He said: "We would like to promote this sport so that people can play it in schools and colleges. We want young people to partake.

Shear Brow Councillor Hussain Akhtar said the main aim of the day was for people to enjoy themselves. He added: "I hope they can go home happy, no matter who wins."

Coun Peter Greenwood, Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, stressed the importance of participating in a different culture. He said: "Sport is a way of bringing people together."

The event was supported by Blackburn City Challenge, EMDA, Muslim Youth, Kashmiri Association, Friendly Association, Rawalpindi Association and the Islamic Welfare Association.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.