MUMBAI: Star India controlled Mashal Sports, promoters of VIVO Pro Kabaddi, have announced that the sixth season of the competition will begin on October 5 this year and the finals would be held on 5th January 5, 2019.
With the Asian Games to take place in Indonesia during the months of August and September, a decision has been made to postpone the event.
Buoyed by the success of Season 5, the organizers have declared that the format of the tournament will remain the same and last for 13 weeks. An increase from 8 to 12 teams saw viewership records being smashed last year across the tournament’s 138 matches. It recorded 313 million viewers and 100 billion minutes as watch time. The tournament has gained the reputation of being the most soughtafter non-cricket sporting event on Indian television. The upcoming season is only expected to enhance it after records were broken during this year’s two-day auction as well.
Pro Kabaddi league commissioner Anupam Goswami noted: “The change of window for the League from the usual July-October cycle has been actioned to ensure full availability of top players from India and overseas, given the 2018 Asian Games. This window also allows the teams and fans to capitalise on the opportunities afforded by the festive season. The whole League ecosystem is geared to provide the highest standard Kabaddi experience for fans in Season VI.”
Dr Mridul Bhadauria, president, AKFI said: “The VIVO Pro Kabaddi League has catalyzed the growth and popularity of Kabaddi in our country since its inception in 2014 and we at the Federation eagerly await the onset of Season VI. VIVO Pro Kabaddi has established itself as a highly competitive league and we only expect the competition to get better year on year. We wish the franchises the very best and look forward to the best of Kabaddi.”
Fans can catch the Pro Kabaddi Season VI action in stadiums, on the Star Sports Network and Hotstar as per the schedule to be announced.
