Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi
Recently formed New Kabaddi Federation (NKF), on Wednesday announced the launch of Indo International Premier Kabaddi League .
The eight team- Bengaluru Rhinos, Chennai Cheetahs, Delhi Dumars, Telangana Bulls, Patna Panthers, Haryana Hurricanes, Mumbai Marathas and Kolkata Tigers- league will commence from 26th January
He said venue for the opening game is yet to be decided ”The league will be held in all those states which have teams named after themi
Talking to media persons NKF secretary general MV Prasad Babu said that each franchise will have 2 to 3 international players.
The competition will be played on double round robin basis. The league stage will consists of 62 matches over a period of one and a half months, the top 4 teams will qualify for the playoffs, .The winner of the title will receive Rs two crore as prize money, while runners up will get Rs 1.25 crores and third placer Rs 75 Lakhs.
“For the first time in history of this sport, 20 percent of profits from the league will go to the players”
He claimed that many veterans and Arjuna awardees of the game have extended their support to the NKF ‘s move to launch the Indo International Premier Kabaddi League.
Two-time Gold Medalist in Asian games. S Rajarathinam, Gold Medalist at the World Cup, a twice Asian Game and SAF Games Gold Medalist. Suresh Kumar, a four-time national winner and Federation cup winner Muruganatham, and Malaysian open champion, C. Honnappa are among those who have supported the launch of the league.
He asserted that there was a pool of 823 Indian players, that also includes 271 state level players, 137 National and International level, 84 International registered players with NKF.
Each team will feature players from across the globe namely New Zealand, Poland, Argentina,Tanzania, Australia, Norway, United Kingdom, Canada and USA, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Mexico, Mauritius, Kenya, Iraq and Denmark ..
All 62 games will be broadcast exclusively on DSPORT, a premium sports TV channel by Discovery Communications India.
Prasad Babu also asserted that players in the Indo International Premier Kabaddi League (IIPKL) will earn much more money than players in other league(s). “ This will be the first league featuring the best of Indian and International players from across the world. We believe that the i league will be the landmark event which will set new benchmark for the sport and we are honoured to tie up with DSPORT.
“ The purpose of the league is to give a fair chance to all players, to encourage competition which will benefit federations and players. The focus will be to induct sport in the Olympics and expand this sport to the far corners of the globe.”
He maintained that IIPKL will not be in conflict with other Kabaddi league”It is meant to give more exposure to talented players who otherwise are deprived of the chances”
“This will be a unique league, other league(s) are slow, but IIPKL will be exciting and faster. It will help us to find more talent in the country”