Karachi, Oct 4 (IANS): The Asian Kabaddi Championship, which was postponed last September-October at India's request as it was clashing with the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, will now be held in Islamabad in the last week of December.

Announcing this here Tuesday, the Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF) secretary Mohammad Sarwar said after months of uncertainty over security fears, the federation at its meeting in Kuala Lumpur Friday finalised the venue and dates.

There were fears that the fragile security environment could force the event to be shifted out, but the members were eventually convinced that the law and order situation has improved considerably for the championship to be held in Pakistan. In recent years Pakistan missed a number of international sports events over security fears.

"Some countries still had apprehensions about the situation in Pakistan, but I tried to convince them that Islamabad is a secured place as it has hosted international events in the recent past," said Sarwar, who is also the secretary of the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation.

India, Korea, Iran, Malaysia, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, besides hosts Pakistan ar expected to take part in the championship, which Pakistan is to host for the first time. All the countries are expected to confirm their participation soon.

Pakistan has already hosted World Kabaddi Championship in 1997 in Islamabad, and many other invitational international tournaments.

Sarwar said Pakistan will take part in the circle style World Cup in India in November. India are the defending champions.