India’s Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is not just a spectacle of thrilling competition but a transformative journey for many kabaddi players from rural parts of the country. As the 2024 season kicks off, fans are eagerly watching as players, who once played in the dusty arenas of their villages, now vie for crore-level contracts on the grand stage of Indian sports entertainment.
The alluring journey of these athletes mirrors the success story symbolized by the popular TV game show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), where a few correct answers can make someone a millionaire. However, for the kabaddi players, the journey to prosperity involves rigorous training, skills, and determination on the mat.
Sachin Tanwar, who has emerged as the most expensive player of the PKL 2024 season, knows this journey all too well. Tanwar, who hails from Badbar village in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan, recently joined the Tamil Thalaivas team with a record-breaking bid of 2.15 crores. His journey from a village amateur to a professional player marks a “wild dream come true” moment for him. Born into a family of kabaddi enthusiasts, Tanwar’s love for the sport led him to skip school days during his early years, provided he played well.
Tracing his career from his initial foray into the sport, Sachin made his mark by representing India in the 2016 Junior Asian Championship and subsequently showcased his dazzling raiding skills in his PKL debut. Now, at 26, Tanwar proudly talks about how a local game played on rustic fields has captured urban India’s imagination. This upcoming season, he is ready to embrace the Tamil culture, promising to learn local phrases and integrate with his team. When not on the professional circuit, Sachin remains rooted in his agricultural background, often found cultivating crops on his family’s farm.
Joining Sachin on this path of triumph is Guman Singh, the latest addition to the Gujarat Giants, acquired at a substantial price tag of 1.97 crores. As a child, Guman idolized figures like Virat Kohli, dreaming of a cricketing career.
. But life had other plans, steering him towards kabaddi. His uncle’s introduction to the sport captivated young Guman, who left home at the tender age of 15 to train at the Narwal Kabaddi and Sports Academy in Haryana.
His decision paid off, as he soon entered the PKL circuit, driven by a desire to see his family celebrate his success on television. At 25, Guman reflects on how the PKL has altered his life’s trajectory, from providing financial stability to helping him secure a Railway job. Guman expresses his gratitude towards kabaddi for instilling discipline and predicts a bright future for the sport, envisioning its growing stature alongside cricket in India’s sporting paradigm.
Meanwhile, Maninder Singh of the Bengal Warriors echoes similar sentiments of growth and opportunity through kabaddi. Hailing from the Panwan village in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, Maninder’s journey began on traditional soil courts, where he honed his aggressive raiding skills. Recognized now as one of PKL’s formidable raiders, Maninder’s exploits on the mat have earned him a steady place in the league, with two trophies to his credit.
As captain of the Bengal Warriors since 2019, Maninder was retained by his team for 1.15 crores. This financial recognition ensures a sustainable livelihood, fostering a secure environment to focus purely on training and competition. Under the mentorship of senior player Ran Singh Raniya, Maninder has refined his game, attributing much of his growth to Raniya’s guidance.
Looking ahead, Maninder boldly predicts that by 2034, kabaddi could rival cricket in popularity. He believes the game’s brevity and emerging skill set will attract larger audiences to stadiums, potentially surpassing cricket’s longstanding dominance.
As the Pro Kabaddi League launches on October 18, across venues in Hyderabad, Noida, and Pune, the spectacle promises not only thrilling matches but stories of aspiration and success that inspire countless young athletes tuning in. The games will be available for viewing on Star Sports Network, Star Sports 1 Tamil, and Disney+Hotstar, bringing the dynamic world of kabaddi into millions of households.
