Dehradun, Jan 6 (IANS) The Uttarakhand government will be organising a pro-wrestling event – The Great Khali Mania – in February, Chief Minister Harish Rawat announced on Wednesday.
The wrestling matches would be held on February 24 and 28 in Haldwani and Dehradun, he announced.
Professional wrestler Khali, who was present at the event, challenged international wrestlers to try and beat him in Uttarakhand.
Fourteen international fighters, including four women wrestlers, have confirmed their participation in the sporting event. Apart from Khali, other Indian professional wrestlers will also be at the event, an official told IANS.
While more than 15,000 spectators will be accommodated in the two new stadiums built in Haldwani and Dehradun, the matches will be telecast live on big LED screens in all districts of the hill state, the chief minister added.
“Pro wrestling has a huge fan following among the youth in Uttarakhand and Khali’s story is an all-time inspiration for them and hence we sat down together and conceptualised this event,” Rawat said.