The Evolution of Pro Kabaddi League in India
Dr. Sandip Shankar Ghosh1*, Anantarup Sen Sarma2
Citation : Dr. Sandip Shankar Ghosh, Anantarup Sen Sarma, The Evolution of Pro Kabaddi League in India International Journal of Sports and Physical Education 2018 ,4(4) : 23-28.
The ancient Indian sport of Kabaddi found a new lease of life with the birth of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Being a game pioneered and dominated by India since its inception, the overwhelmingly positive reception of the League by the Indian audience has given an opportunity to the promoters to bring the league back for a second season. Appreciated and followed by millions of people around the country, the PKL was a major hit for both the game and the promoters.
For long period of time Kabaddi was thought to be a game played in the rural areas of our country, with not much interest shown in the game by those living in cities. Not even fit to be a part of the Olympics, India had to fight hard to keep it alive in the Asian Games, right since it was introduced in 1990.
The all-conquering Indian team has won seven gold medals in the sport on the trot. After the idea to start a league based on Kabaddi was made, it caught the attention and attracted not only the Indian audience, but also film stars and corporate franchises who enthusiastically took part in the bidding process of the teams and players.