Keighley says farewell to two of Pakistan's best known kabaddi players this weekend after a trip hailed as a massive success by all those involved.

Ghulam Murtaza, known to his fans at home as Pappu and Mohammed Amin, also known as Jat, are two of the game's most highly respected names and cause the kind of frenzy back home you associate with sporting icons like David Beckham and Michael Owen here.

The pair have been touring England, using Keighley as their base, for the past two months holding demonstration matches and trying to promote an interest and understanding of the cultural sport.

They are trying to raise awareness of the sport to a generation of British Asians who are more familiar with more popular British sports such as football and cricket. Khadim Hussain, of the Sangat Centre was delighted with the effect and impact Murtaza and Amin's visit has had.

He said: "It has been a very good trip and it has been an honour and a privilege for us to have players of this stature staying here with us in Keighley.

"We have looked at this as another way of empowering young people and a way to give them a diversion from some other activities."

During the visit to the UK, the players have taken part in exhibition matches and passed on their expertise in London, Birmingham and Rochdale as well as Keighley.

And with the trip being so successful, there are plans to repeat it next year -hopefully as part of the Bradford Festival - if appropriate funding and sponsorship can be found.

Hussain added: "Elder members of the community have been able to relate with kabaddi because it is part of their own culture and hopefully that can help interest younger people as well.

"There is a very big need to develop the game of kabaddi here and make it known to a lot of younger people."

"Having players of this quality is a real privilege and will help people get an experience of kabaddi and help the game develop here."

Amin, a member and coach of the national police team and Murtaza, also a member of the police's national squad, fly back to Pakistan on Sunday.

Amin is celebrated in his home country for having had an unusually long career. He has been a top-flight kabaddi player for 15 years - far longer than most are able to manage in the physically demanding sport.

Picture shows:- Pakistan international Kabbadi stars Ghulam Murtaza, front centre right, who plays under the name of Pappu and Mohammed Amin, known as Jat, front centre left, are joined by Khadim Hussain, centre, of the Sangat Centre and Keighley team members, from left, Shamus Khan, Sajid Ali, Mohammed Ishfaq and Ijaz Ahmed