NEW DELHI: In what looks to be a re-invention of the defunct World Kabaddi League entering (or should one say re-entering?) the arena now totally dominated by Pro Kabaddi League is a new entity called ‘Indo International Premier Kabaddi League’, which will be presented by The New Kabaddi Federation of India (NKFI).
NKFI was formed in May 2017 with its stated objective being to “promote the sport in India and bring it to the Olympics one day”. NKFI is endorsed by the World Kabaddi Federation (WKF), which, in bears noting, had earlier endorsed the World Kabaddi League.
In the release that was sent out, the organisers have stated the following: “The League will showcase a distinct format (emphasis ours), having 8 teams with 62 matches spread over one and half months. From what SportzPower can make of this, said format is circle style kabaddi. This is distinct and different from square style kabaddi, which is the format played in the Pro Kabaddi League and also recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia.
SportzPower reached out to official representatives of the league asking whether this was an attempt by the NKFI to rebrand WKL. While this website was not provided a categorical clarification, the representatives did admit that WKL’s players had been threatened to be banned from playing for their countries back in 2014 by the government recognised Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) due to that tournament being unsanctioned by international and Indian authorities.
What has been officially shared about the Indo International Premier Kabaddi League is the following:
*Many former greats & Arjuna awardees of the game have joined hands and come together with the NKFI to conceptualize and launch the Indo International Premier Kabaddi League, which is expected to take the sport to international markets such as New-Zealand, Poland, Argentina, Tanzania, Australia, Norway, United Kingdom, Canada and USA, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Mauritius, Kenya, Iraq, Denmark and “many more”.
*Legends such as S Rajarathinam, a two-time Gold medalist at the Asian games; Suresh Kumar a Gold Medalist at the World Cup, a double time Asian Games and SAF Games Gold medalist; Muruganatham, a four-time national winner and Federation Cup winner; Madukar Yadav a Malaysian Open champion, C Honnappa are the prominent names who have extended their support to the league along with many other unnamed sports personalities and celebrities.
*The league is expected to take place in December this year and will feature 8 teams having 3-4 overseas players each. These teams will battle it out in 62 matches, which will be broadcast exclusively on Discovery branded sports channel DSport. Details about the team and player auctions and participation are expected to be divulged in a month’s time.
Talking about the launch of league, Sarvesh Kumar, president, NKFI, said: “I’m really proud to see kabaddi growing in India. In the last few years we have been seeing a drastic change in people’s mindset for kabaddi. With the launch of this league we expect that kabaddi will gain more encouragement as a sport in India. This league is the only platform to be launched where highly talented players all across the globe will be put to test.”
MV Prasad Babu, general secretary, NKFI, said: “We are overwhelmed to launch the Indo International Premier Kabaddi League in India. This will be the first league featuring the best of Indian and International players from across the world. We believe that the Indo International Premier Kabaddi league will be the landmark event which will set new benchmark for the sport and we are honoured to tie up with DSport. We are very excited for this season and can’t wait to witness the fighting spirit and enthusiasm of the players.”
