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India and Iran wont merely be vying for the title of world champion on Saturday; the final will also be the culmination of a tussle over the sports origins.Conventional wisdom in India has it that the sport was born here in ancient times. Its roots can be found in the epics - in Nation at Play, Ronojoy Sen suggests it goes back to the Vedic age - and is said to have been invented by the Aayars or the Yadavas. Its known by different names in different parts of India - ha-du-du, hu-tu-tu - and is one of the first games any Indian child learns.Enter Iranian captain Meraj Sheykh, though, and his take: Kabaddi originated in his hometown, Sistan, 5,000 years ago. My hometown, Sistan, was where it was first found. Several ancient books spoke about it too. We were the original founders of the game, not India, he said.Sheykh later pointed to Shahr-E-Sukteh, an archaeological site located in Irans Sistan and Baluchestan province, as the birthplace of the game.Though Sheykh believes that Iran has history on its side, he acknowledges the Indian role. India has popularized the game and has increased its outreach. The kind of interest the authorities have been taking in the sport is commendable and it would only help in the growth of the game that I love, he said.India and Iran have been two of the most successful teams so far in international kabaddi. India have dominated the game ever since the first Asian Kabaddi Championship in 1980, which they won. Iran debuted at the 2004 World Cup and have since been Indias closest competitors, facing them in the finals of the previous two editions of the cup.At this tournament, Iran have won four games and lost one so far - the same as India. Another loss would mean the end of their campaign, but Sheykh is content with the way his team has grown. For Iranian players, a lot of focus is put on training. We probably practice even more than India does. This is our game and we are more determined, he said.Sheykh began playing kabaddi at the age of 12 and believes that he shares a lot in common with the Indian team. Like many Indian players, I too started playing the game at a very early age. In fact, the game is very common in my native place. Almost everyone plays it over there. For me, its all I have, he says. Edmonton Oilers Pro Shop . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. Edmonton Oilers Store . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. https://www.cheapoilers.com/ . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. Custom Edmonton Oilers Jerseys . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. Oilers Jerseys 2021 .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Michael Cheika wont be taking up New Zealand coach Steve Hansens offer for a beer any time soon - but not because the Wallabies boss is holding a grudge.Cheika had surgery on Tuesday to repair a long-standing shoulder injury, meaning he would spend most of Australias European tour with his arm in a sling.Im off the alcohol since the operation, Cheika laughed.Im ruled out of all drinking contests.Cheika, a former NSW representative, is renowned for injecting himself into Wallaby training sessions to personally sample their physicality and set-piece effectiveness.But hed have to get used to life on the sidelines following his operation, which became a necessity after a recent collision with one of his players, who he didnt name.When I rang my missus afterwards and told her what happened, the first thing she said was is the player alright? he said.Pressed further on whether hee would be willing to break bread with the All Blacks, in the wake of his fiery media conference after their Bledisloe Cup defeat last weekend, Cheika made it clear hed drawn a line under the Clowngate controversy and was ready to move on.dddddddddddd.The New Zealand series has been well and truly concluded and we got well and truly beaten, he said.The only thing regarding that is for me to get my team playing better for the next time that opportunity comes.Hansen had extended an olive branch in an attempt to resolve the frosty rugby relations between New Zealand and Australia, following Cheikas accusations that the All Blacks did not respect the Wallabies.Maybe we need to sit down and have a beer together and sort it out, Hansen said on Sunday. ' ' '