Article by Vaibhav Somani, Director, Gravolite

I made my Indian team debut in 2006. That time, there was barely any recognition, no one knew about me or the sport. Since PKL began, people have come to know what sort of sport kabaddi is, and they recognise us. That I’ve been able to carve my own identity is a very big achievement for me.
This is the perspective of the former captain of the Indian National Kabaddi Team, Mumbai’s U Mumba, and the current coach of Pune’s Puneri Paltan, Anup Kumar, on the role of the PKL (Pro Kabaddi League) in elevating the game’s status across the country as well as beyond.

The PKL is a professional association of Indian Kabaddi players. The triumph of the Kabaddi Championship at the 2006 Asian Games, where India dominated by winning the most gold medals in both the men’s and women’s categories, had a huge impact on the development of this league.
PKL came into being in 2014 after the Indian Premier League – a men’s T20 franchise cricket league in India. However, there were concerns over whether the PKL would succeed given that numerous leagues—including the Champions League T20—tried to imitate the IPL’s successful model but failed.
The fact that kabaddi has been there since ancient times and is one of the sports that are most cherished and practised in rural as well as suburban settings gave a lot of hope. If the League attracted substantial attention, it could attract a diverserange of spectators from both urban and rural areas for the ad world scouts.

The first season of PKL exceeded expectations, drawing 435 million viewers – second only to the 2014 IPL’s 552 million – and 8.64 crores watched the first season final between U Mumba and Jaipur Pink Panthers.

Kabaddi – One of the 5 Most Watched Sports in India

Those basking in the glory of kabaddi today should bestow kudos on Mashal Sports Private Limited for thinking of reviving this lost-in-the-oblivion game of India when cricket was ruling the grounds.

Deoraj Chaturvedi, former director of the International Kabaddi Federation, first proposed the notion of introducing a Kabaddi league in India. He had a conversation with Charu Sharma, the Kabaddi commentator for the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou. In 1994, Charu collaborated with his brother-in-law, the billionaire Anand Mahindra, and founded Mashal Sports.

The Pro Kabaddi League’s foundation was set in 2013 by Mashal Sports and Star India. The following year, 8 franchises from across India were created, which featured Dabang Delhi, U Mumba, Puneri Paltan, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Bengal Warriors, Bengaluru Bulls, Patna Pirates, and Telugu Titans.

It was this company’s strong conviction and irrepressible efforts that gave kabaddi a new stupendous face which many sports aspirants wish to be identified with today.

What Has Made PKL so Popular Today?

Kabaddi is now seen as more modern and fun to watch. The Pro Kabaddi League has changed how people engage with, experience, and enjoy the sport through clever content development and packaging for television, as well as a creative approach to the structure and presentation.
Along with celebrity engagement and media coverage across India, an infrastructural upgrade has also improved the League’s marketability and increased audiences.

The massive popularity of PKL has transformed the game’s dynamic from “mud to mat.” For the purpose of conducting practice sessions and athletic competitions, the sports facilities of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Lakshmibai National Institute of Physical Education (Gwalior and Guwahati) have been made freely available for sports, including kabaddi.

Kabaddi is currently a part of the Khelo India Youth and University Games, and SAI facilities are now offering kabaddi coaching to athletes.

The use of smart clothing and accessories, such as mats and facial gear, as well as technologies for injury management, has expanded.
All of these steps have been taken by the country’s government and apex sports bodies. The common objective is to build up the environment and the infrastructure to better prepare athletes for sporting achievement.

Given PKL’s phenomenal progress and swankier presentation over the years, it would not be long until it rubbed shoulders with cricket on India’s “Most Watched Sports” list. The success of the live Pro Kabaddi League is deeply permeating both the metropolitan and ruralstrata, thanks to the way it has been promoted to be known by the general masses.

Share.

Leave A Reply