On 15th January 2023, the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) just reached a milestone with its 1000th match. The league, which has become synonymous with ability, strategic prowess, and athleticism, put on a fantastic display that wowed fans and enthusiasts. The PKL’s journey has been nothing short of a sporting revolution, with the old Indian game transformed into a glamorous environment. The league has developed enormously since its humble beginnings, capturing fans and playing a vital role in Kabaddi’s ascent to prominence.

Since its establishment in 2014, the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has transformed the sport, recruiting players from all around the country. Through seasons and new initiatives, it has become a springboard for emerging talents. Kabaddi has emerged as a realistic career opportunity for athletes in India and worldwide. 

Former Kabaddi players Anup Kumar, Manjeet Chillar, Ajay Thakur, Rishank Devadiga, and Dharmraj Cheralathan came together to carve an unforgettable moment into the very centre of their hearts a moment that showed the pinnacle of their contributions to the sport. Anup, who was a player, coach, and pundit for the league, reminisced about the moment he first learned that the Pro Kabaddi League was in the works, admitting that he had a belief about the league’s eventual success. He admitted that the thought of the PKL being a reality sounded unlikely to him at the time.

 When our pre-shoots were happening: Anup Kumar

Anup said, “When our pre-shoots were happening, we felt very strange, we did not think at all that there would be a league. It seemed to us that this drama was going on like this and it would end after a little while. But when everything was finalised, the season started, we played our first match, then we saw Kabaddi differently on such a big platform with proper broadcast and that day we realized that yes, we are Kabaddi players and felt a sense of pride.”

“Kabaddi is a game in which children from ordinary families play. In the league, even children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, who once struggled to secure two meals a day, are now playing based on their skills and performances. This shift has not only provided them with substantial earnings but also provided them opportunities to enhance their standard of living.”