Mashal Sports, organizers of the Pro Kabaddi League, announced that PKL has been honored with the ‘Best Sports League of the Year’ award at the CII Sports Business Awards 2024.
The award ceremony was held as part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Score Card 2024 event in New Delhi on Friday, October 18, which was also the day that the 11th edition of the PKL took flight.
The CII Sports Business Awards recognizes excellence and innovation in the sports business sector. Pro Kabaddi League’s win underscores its impact on the Indian sports landscape and its contribution to the growth of kabaddi as a sport.
PKL league commissioner Anupam Goswami expressed his excitement about the award, “We are thrilled to receive this recognition from CII. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in making Pro Kabaddi League a resounding success since its inception in 2014.
“As we look to the future, we are committed to taking PKL to even greater heights, further popularizing kabaddi and contributing to India’s vision of becoming a global sporting powerhouse.”
Charu Sharma, director of PKL, noted: “India’s unique heritage sport – which went international many decades ago – has catapulted into a highly visible, reputed, professional league 10 years ago thanks to the PKL.
“The story of Kabaddi is truly fascinating. I am delighted that India’s premier corporate agency, the CII, has appreciated the extreme attention Mashal Sports showers on good governance, earning the PKL respect and sustainability.
“Winning CII’s award for ‘Best Sports League of the Year at the Sports Business Awards is a truly gratifying recognition of all the hard work contributed by the entire Mashal Sports team, led by Anupam Goswami.”
In addition to PKL’s success, defending champions Puneri Paltan, who are one of the league’s prominent teams, was also recognized at the Awards, winning the ‘Sports Franchise of the Year’ award.
The franchise’s grassroots initiative, Yuva Paltan, has been instrumental in developing young kabaddi stars like Aslam Inamdar and Mohit Goyat, who have become key players for the team and have represented India internationally. Their skills and leadership were vital in securing Puneri Paltan’s PKL Season 10 victory, underscoring the Pro Kabaddi ecosystem’s success.
Looking ahead, Mashal Sports aims to leverage this recognition to expand Pro Kabaddi League’s reach, enhance fan engagement on ground and in digital landscape, and contribute to the development of kabaddi at the grassroots level.
The organization remains committed to innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity in sports, echoing the theme of this year’s CII Score Card: ‘Empowering change: Innovating Towards a Sustainable and Inclusive Sporting Future in India.’
Mashal Sports and Disney Star have built PKL into one of the most successful sports leagues in India. Organized and conducted by Mashal under its sanctioned agreement with the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), the Pro Kabaddi League has transformed the image of India’s indigenous sport of Kabaddi and its athletes nationally as well as across the globe.
After witnessing the participation of many of their players in PKL, several kabaddi-playing nations have strengthened their domestic kabaddi programs as well.
