Kabaddi takes a deep breath -and goes pro
INDIA’S indigenous sport of kabaddi took a big step towards cementing its popularity with the launch of the Bangalore franchise team, the Bengaluru Bulls, this week for the forthcoming Pro Kabaddi League.
The league will be run on a franchise-based model and there are teams in eight cities.
The 12 members of the Bengaluru Bulls team wore their official team jerseys during a press conference at which the team anthem was also revealed.
The Bengaluru Bulls franchisee is confident of doing well, having selected a strong coaching team and contracted several national players for the squad.
The team’s head coach is Randhir Singh, who was a star player and has successfully coached the Railways on the national circuit.
The new professional league has the backing of the International Kabaddi Federation, the Asian Kabaddi Federation and the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India, which will be heavily involved in organising the series.
At Wednesday’s launch, Uday Sinh Wala, CEO of Kosmik Global Media and owner of the Bengaluru Bulls, said: “It is a very proud moment for us to be associated with this venture, which is aimed at promoting the sport of kabaddi among today’s youth.
“Kabaddi is arguably the most participated-in sport in the country, the only true Indian sport, and hence we take immense pride in associating with it.
“I wish all the other franchises all the best and urge them to put their best foot forward to win the title.”
The franchise plans to develop kabaddi through a partnership with the regional Karnataka State association.
It also plans to build a successful sports franchisee operated as a self-sustaining business model off the field.
The Bengaluru Bulls will face the Delhi Dynamos in their first match at the National Sports Club of India in Mumbai.
A total of 60 matches will be played across all eight cities and the final will be held in Bangalore.
Also present at Wednesday’s launch was Shayamal Vallabhjee, managing director of the HEAL Institute for sports medicine, which will be treating the Bengaluru Bulls players.
“This year’s Pro Kabaddi League is guaranteed to challenge every player’s physical prowess and mental agility,” said Vallabhjee. “The question is how a team can gain a competitive advantage in an already high-performance environment.
“I believe that, this year, the science of recovery will be the secret to success.”
Vallabhjee said the institute had taken “every possible step” to ensure the team used science to enhance its performance. — Indo-Asian News Service