New Delhi ,nov 18
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), now in its 11th season, has reached a “significant milestone” as it enters its second decade.
Anupam Goswami, League Commissioner of the Pro Kabaddi League, reflected on the “remarkable achievement” and said the league has also contributed to players’ financial well-being.
“Apart from the IPL, there are only two leagues in India that have achieved the milestone of a second decade, which is quite frankly tough to do and remarkable as well,” Goswami told ANI.
The PKL has provided a platform for Indian players to advance and has integrated aspects such as sports science, recovery from injuries, strength and conditioning, and analytics into the sport.”And while the players’ professional aspects have changed, the life and livelihood has also been revamped as well. It might be a small matter, but it is important to note, that after the IPL, the athletes who earn the biggest paycheques in the country are in the PKL. Sustaining that for 11 years is not easy, and we’d definitely like to count it as an achievement,” Goswami said.Season 11 of the PKL is touted to be one of the most competitive in the history of the competition. Currently in Noida for the second leg of the season, the PKL has seen some feisty contests with the traditional powerhouses such as the Puneri Paltan showing that they are among the teams to beat. While that has been one of the story lines, the other has been how young players have shone, highlighting the immense efforts that have gone in behind the scenes with regards to player development.”Player development and the long-term facilitation of that is a theme that is very close to the heart of the PKL. One of the best examples of that is a team such as Puneri Paltan, who have gone into a Player auction and finished their business with one transaction because they have developed and nurtured home-grown talent. Such things are very good to see because it tells us that the decisions we are taking in terms of development, New Young Players’ programme and long-term association are paying off,” Goswami added.
