The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has become very popular, especially as it gets ready for its ninth season. Kabaddi is an old sport in India that goes back to ancient times. It is also linked to places in today’s Iran. Let’s look at how the Pro Kabaddi League started and why it has become so popular.
The Birth of the Pro Kabaddi League
The idea of a kabaddi league came from Deoraj Chaturvedi, a member of the Asian Kabaddi Federation. He shared this idea with Charu Sharma, a commentator at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. Sharma wanted to promote kabaddi in India, so he started Mashal Sports in 1994 with Anand Mahindra.
In 2013, Mashal Sports worked with Star India to create the Pro Kabaddi League. The league began in 2014 with eight teams across India, like the Bengal Warriors, Bengaluru Bulls, and Jaipur Pink Panthers.
A New Era for Kabaddi
The league quickly became loved by many people and is now the second most-watched sport in India after cricket. In its first season, it had 435 million viewers, making a big mark in the sports world. By the fifth season, four new teams joined, making a total of 12 teams. This growth helped the PKL become bigger than the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Indian Super League (ISL) in terms of teams and how long the seasons last.
The matches are played in indoor stadiums with a home-and-away setup. This makes the games exciting, with cool venues, bright lights, and lively music for fans. Many cameras and colorful graphics make watching even more fun.
Opportunities for Young Talent
Famous kabaddi players like Anup Kumar and Ajay Thakur are now well-known because of the PKL. The league has also given many young players a chance to show their talent on a big stage. Many of them have played for the Indian national team, gaining fame.
To find young talent, the Future Kabaddi Heroes Program was started. This program has found players under 22 years old who have helped their teams a lot, showing that kabaddi can be a good career choice for young people.
International Stars Boosting Popularity
The PKL has invited players from other countries, making it even more exciting. Iranian players like Meraj Sheykh and Fazel Atrachali have played very well. Fazel has been the captain of U Mumba for three seasons, and Esmaeil Nabibakhsh helped the Bengal Warriors win their first PKL title. More foreign players are joining as teams look for the best talent around the world.
The Role of Star Sports in Promotion
The games can be watched in many languages, such as Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, and Tamil, so more people can enjoy them. Pro Kabaddi is one of the most searched sports events in India, showing its growing popularity. The league also connects with fans through social media, helping them follow their favorite teams and players.
A Unique Sponsorship Model
Unlike the IPL, which has many sponsors from the same category, the PKL has a different sponsorship model. This means that sponsors can promote their brands without competing against similar companies. This has helped the league succeed financially.
The Pro Kabaddi League has done very well because of many reasons, and its future looks bright. With plans to work with streaming platforms and more exciting content, the PKL is set to keep fans of all ages interested.
Also Read: Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 Captivates 226 Million Viewers, Surpasses Previous Records
