Chennai, SEPT 02,
Chennai’s love affair with sports has begun to extend beyond cricket in recent years. While the city’s allegiance to Chennai Super Kings and Dhoni is unrivalled, it is heartening to see people making room in their hearts for other sports. The response and attendance to Chennaiyin FC, the city’s resident football team has grown over time. Another team that is now looking to cement their place among Chennaiites is the Pro Kabaddi side Tamil Thalaivas.
The young outfit boasts of Sachin Tendulkar and Allu Arjun among its co-owners, and not many people know that Vijay Sethupathi is the brand ambassador for the team with the anthem ‘Namma Mannu, Namma Velayattu’!
Being a relatively fledgling side, Tamil Thalaivas, coached by E Baskaran, had a disappointing run in their first two years, as the team struggled against their more experienced opponents. However, now in their third season, the outfit seems more prepared and currently sit ninth in the league, with around six weeks to go before the play-off stage.Their biggest draw is undoubtedly the talismanic Ajay Thakur, a stalwart of the sport for India, the captain of the National kabaddi team and recent recipient of the Arjuna Award.
The hero of India’s 2016 Kabaddi World Cup triumph, his calm demeanour under pressure earned him the nickname ‘Iceman’.
In the midst of a hectic season, the captain and some key players find time to talk to MetroPlus about how the Pro Kabaddi League is a gift to the sport, how Chennai and Tamil Nadu have taken to kabaddi, and their expectations for the ongoing season.
