MUMBAI: With the success of Pro Kabaddi League as an inspiration, the stage is set for Marathi movie channel Zee Talkies to launch the franchise-based format of traditional wrestling – “kusti” – in Maharashtra.
Zee Maharashtra Kusti Dangal (ZMKD) will be held from 2nd to 18th November 2018 at the Balewadi Stadium, Pune with teams representing six cities in the state.
Elaborating on the idea behind Maharashtra Kusti Dangal, the organisers state: “Maharashtra and kusti have been inseparable. Maharashtrians have been colouring the scoreboards of this sport with their names – Gama Pehlwan, Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav, Mamasaheb Mohol, Chaburao Landge, Shreepati Khachnale, Dadu Chougale, Harishchandra Birajrao, Ganpatrao Aandalkar, Maruti Mane and many more. A journey that begaun with Shahu Maharaj and his love for the sport, to Rahul Aware from Maharashtra bagging the Gold medal in the Commonwealth Games this year – Maharashtrian wrestlers have made India proud across the globe!
“This prompted the Zee Group to give this sport an unprecedented platform, akin to the exposure other Indian sports like kabbadi and cricket have been getting. Zee Talkies will be the first channel to host such an event in the state of Maharashtra. Deeply rooted in Maharashtrian culture, there is a huge opportunity in this state – with untapped raw talent, brimming with potential and an ever-increasing love for Kusti. There could not be a more perfect inflection point for this sport to reach the next level.”
As reported earlier, the six frachises competing in the league are Veer Marathvada, Kolhapuri Mavale, Vidharbhache Vaagh, Yashwant Satara, Puneri Ustad & Mumbai Astra.
Preliminary rounds and all playoffs will be hosted at one central venue: Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, nicknamed Balewadi Stadium, at Pune. Each franchise will play a definite of 10 matches in the league stage, and the matches will be played as per WFI regulations.
ZMKD has created a promotional video for the league with the anthem sung by Ajay Gogawale, lyrics written by Guru Thakur and music composed by Vijay Gawande. Nagraj Manjule (of Sairat Fame) has directed the promo video for the anthem.
The tournament will be featured exclusively on Zee Talkies, starting 2nd November.
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