On a rainy 26th of July, 2014, India's unique gift to the world of sport took a giant leap. An enviable star cast inside the NSCI, Mumbai, along with millions on TV, witnessed the birth of India's biggest sporting revolution - The
Pro Kabaddi League.
Five years hence in just a few hours from now, the
PKL is all set to showcase season 7. India's second most watched sporting spectacle will once again promise mesmerising action. Whether it is the extreme, quicksilver daring shown by specialist raiders, or the equally courageous tackles thrown in by committed defenders, each game is invariably a celebration of unbridled athleticism. That, surely, is the biggest draw for
kabaddi fans in India and, increasingly, other countries around the world.
Even though the PKL brought in some key rule amendments to usher in the modern, international, sophisticated avatar of kabaddi, fundamentally, the game has remained the same. So how did PKL manage to break through the many walls of prejudice and neglect that had shackled the sport - in its country of origin - and place it on the pedestal it deserved? Many key reasons. Here are the top 5.
The foresight, trust and cooperation of the National and International Federations.
The partnership of many reputed forces from the entrepreneurial and entertainment industries.
A dedicated team of professionals at Mashal Sports, who continue to deliver a world class organisational experience.
A very wide, pan India fan base, stretching from the huge hinterland to modern urban ultra-nationalistic youth.
And, perhaps most of all, to the effort, energy and funds poured into the promotion and production of the highest quality by Star Sports.
However hard all the rest of us may have worked, ultimately it is all about the product that is visible. And no one can deny that Star Sports poured its heart and soul into showcasing the magical attraction of this great sport.
Instead of resting on the success, the laurels, the Mashal/Star combine has constantly strived to focus on enhancement. For instance, last weekend, as a precursor to season 7, we got to watch an All Stars game, which certainly set the mood. As all sports fans are well aware, All Star games are an established practice in the major globally successful Leagues. The teams fielded are only a collection of some salient individuals, and are not to be confused with any national/international team - which is solely the purview of respective Federations.
THE WRITER IS VIVO PRO KABADDI LEAGUE PATRON
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