Chandigarh, Mar 20 (IANS): Dope testing has been made compulsory at the Kabaddi World Cup to be held across Punjab next month, the organising committee said Friday.

Munish Chander, convener of the medical and anti-doping committee of the event, informed Punjab Sports Director Pargat Singh that dope tests will be mandatory for all the players.

"In accordance with the anti-doping code, tests will be done during the competition as well as outside the competition. The players can be tested anytime and anywhere. The programme will be implemented in compliance with World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code," Chander said.

The samples will be sent to National Dope Testing Laboratory in New Delhi.

Ten countries, including hosts India, will compete in the event, beginning at Patiala April 3. Britain, the United States, Canada, Pakistan, Iran, Australia, Italy, Spain have already confirmed their participation.

The matches will be held in Patiala (April 3-4 ), Sangrur (April 5), Muktsar (April 7 ), Bathinda (April 8 ), Amritsar (April 10), Hoshiarpur (April 11 ), Jalandhar (April 12) and the final and closing ceremony at Ludhiana April 15.

The winner will take home a prize purse of Rs. 10 million (1 crore) while the runners-up will get Rs.5.1 million (51 lakh) and Rs. 2.5 million (25 lakh) respectively.