Latest news with #ProKabaddiLeague
News18
2 days ago
- Sport
- News18
'Fully Prepared' Aslam Inamdar Aims To Make Memorable Comeback After Knee Injury
25-year-old Aslam Inamdar could only manage to make seven appearances for Puneri Paltan in PKL 2024 due to a knee injury. After missing the majority of the Pro Kabaddi League season in 2024 due to a knee injury, Aslam Inamdar is aiming to make a big comeback in the PKL this year for the Puneri Paltans and help them become champions once again. Inamdar suffered a meniscus tear in his knee last year, and the injury was so serious that he required surgical intervention. His injury took a toll on his team's performance as well, and Puneri Paltan could only manage to finish 8th in the league table. Inamdar, who has been associated with the Pune-based team since the start of his PKL career, made only seven appearances for Puneri Paltan in 2024, and in that he earned a total of 38 points (31 in raid and 7 in defence). However, despite his long-term absence from the mat, Puneri Paltan not just retained him ahead of the new season, which is starting on August 29, 2025, but also appointed him as the captain of the team. The 25-year-old kabaddi player, during an interview with News 18, declared that he is fully fit to make a comeback this year and is sure about living up to the expectations. 'I am fully prepared for season 12. Because I started everything with a strong mindset after my injury. So, I am just waiting for season 12 to start. I have worked well with my team. I have taken care of my health, my body, my diet, and my workout, and that was important for me because I want to change the mindset in Kabaddi and prove that even after an injury a player can once again perform like the way he used to do before his injury," Aslam said. 'So, I am prepared for that. And I just want to show that in season 12, Aslam will come back in the same way," he added. According to Aslam, whenever any sportsperson suffers an injury, he starts doubting himself and goes into a negative zone, which one should not do, and instead staying positive will help more. 'I think it is a little challenging for every sportsperson. Because he thinks that if he has an injury, then what will happen in life? Will he recover? Will he be able to make a comeback? Players think like that. They go into a negative zone, but when you suffer injury, your mindset should be strong, and you should have belief in yourself that you can do everything." 'And this is easy for me because I think when there is a bad fall in your life, it is not challenging for you. You have to accept that challenge. And you have to take care of it. So, I think your mentality should be strong. You have to stay positive and think that I can do something, and I will do it. Until you stay positive, your recovery time will be very long. So, the more positive you stay, the stronger your mindset will be," he added. Despite his injury, Aslam was retained by Puneri Paltan for PKL 2025, and when asked about the conversation with the team owners and coaches about retention and during his recovery phase as well, Aslam said that Pune management and support staff take care of him like a family member. 'It (the recovery period) was very good. Because my team owner was with me like a family member. He was with me in every situation and said, Do whatever you want; have whatever facilities you need. We are with you. So, since the injury, he has been with me, and I have been with the team for 4 years. Our owner, Jai Sir, has supported me a lot. Our coach is Ashok Sir. So, with Ashok sir, when my recovery period was going on, I used to talk to him every day. Because we have to make our mentality strong, and our coach can give us so many positive things. So, I used to talk to him every day. I used to talk a lot about Kabaddi. I used to talk a lot about fitness to my trainers. 'It took me some time to get back to the mat. But I was feeling like I was on the mat. And I was doing my daily work. And I have to do this. Because hard work jab karega Aslam toh prepare ho jayega aage ki cheej ke liye. So, my coach supported me a lot. And my management supported me a lot. 'I started practice slowly, and after seven days, when I did my movement of raids, my coach came to me, and he put his hand on my back and said, 'I was afraid that I might lose Aslam's movement. But tu aaj us pace se aaya hai. So he put his hand on my back and said, once again, you will be the captain of this team. So, I was happy. It was a positive thing. It motivated me a lot. That I will be able to do something. So, I am still working on it." Puneri Paltan last won the PKL title in 2023, and this season, according to Aslam, Puneri Paltan will show a different level of kabaddi after the addition of some new faces. 'I think every season, Puneri Paltan has shown a different level of Kabaddi. And this season, a lot of new players have joined our team. And I think in this season, you will get to see some new faces in the team as well. And they will be at a different level. Because we have worked on them properly for the last 2 years. And we have prepared them for Pro Kabaddi. I think they have also worked hard. Our new NYP (New Young Player) players are very good. And they will do well this season. 'All the other players have been with us for the last 3-4 years. So, the team will do well. And every player is prepared to do well this season. So, I think there is nothing much different in the team. So, that's it. I think all the players will do well this season. And I am fully prepared for this season. I won't be able to say what I can do and what I can't do. Because I have never said this about myself. So, just keep waiting on the mat. And when I come on the mat, you will know the result." When asked about the possible challengers for the title this year, Aslam didn't pick anyone as a favourite and said all teams have managed to assemble a strong squad. 'I think all the 12 teams have been very good in season 12. So, all the teams are good. Kabaddi is a game with a lot of situations. Our game is very fast. Kabaddi is very fast now. So, we can't say which team is good, which team is bad, or which side is strong. But all the teams are good. I think in Tamil Thalaivas, three raiders—Pawan, Arjun, and Narendra—are good. Their defence is also young." 'Like my Puneri Paltan team. Obviously, my Puneri Paltan team has been doing well for 4 seasons. My team also has very good raiders. Mohit, Pankaj, Aditya, and Abhishek—he is a new guy. He will also do well. So, every team is good. We can't say because it was a very difficult auction; every team is stable. So, every team is good. We can't say which side is strong," he added. News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : pkl pro kabaddi league Puneri Paltan view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 29, 2025, 19:34 IST News sports 'Fully Prepared' Aslam Inamdar Aims To Make Memorable Comeback After Knee Injury Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Women's Kabaddi World Cup postponed indefinitely
The second Women's Kabaddi World Cup, which was scheduled to take place in Hyderabad from August 3 to 10 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, has been indefinitely postponed. This is the second time the event has been rescheduled, after it was originally slated to be held in Bihar in June. The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), in a letter to the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), which The Hindu has seen, stated that the decision was made due to the 'non-timely submissions of team contingent administrative details,' which caused an issue in 'obtaining clearances from the concerned Ministries.' AKFI also said that it will not accept any changes to the existing list of participating countries, stating that it would 'derail the administrative process for timely clearances.' Argentina, Bangladesh, Chinese Taipei, Germany, Netherlands, Iran, Japan, Kenya, Nepal, Thailand, Uganda, Zanzibar, Poland and India are the 14 countries taking part in the event. According to various sources, the tournament will now take place in Hyderabad following the conclusion of the Pro Kabaddi League, which gets underway in Vizag on August 29.
News18
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
'We're Confident And Ready': Gaurav Khatri Eyes More Glory In PKL Season 12
Gaurav Khatri, inspired by Kabaddi from a young age, joined Puneri Paltan in Season 9 as an injury replacement. Despite losing the final, they won the trophy in Season 10. Puneri Paltan's star defender Gaurav Khatri's story is nothing short of a Bollywood script. Having been brought up in a household where Kabaddi was a known sport, Khatri's interest piqued at a very early age, even featuring in local tournaments at age 15. Being a part of Pro Kabaddi League had always been on his bucket list and this bucket was finally ticked when he was picked up by Puneri Paltan as an injury replacement during Season 9. While the side missed to lift the cup by a whisker, losing to Jaipur Pink Panthers in the final, they eventually got their hands on the coveted trophy in the very next edition. The Paltan and Khatri are now gearing up for Season 12 and want to replicate the kind of performance they had unleashed in Season 10. 'We are very confident and ready for the upcoming season. We want to repeat the way we played in Season 10. We will give our 100%. The raiding department has got some more strength with the addition of Sachin (Tanwar) bhai. Aslam (Inamdar), Mohit (Goyat) and Pankaj (Mohite) were already there, so we are going to work hard," he said during the latest episode of the 'Rise of a Star' series. Khatri got into the team after one of the players was affected by COVID-19 during Season 9. It was a clash against the Bengaluru Bulls where he first got a chance to showcase his talent. 'During the encounter against Bengaluru Bulls in one of the matches (in Season 9), I got my first opportunity when the coach asked me to go in as a substitute. Obviously, I felt nervous but at the same time, it was a good feeling as I was living my dream. I did my first tackle against Bharat Hooda who was the best raider at that time. I got points for my team and felt good about it. We lost the game but the team was pretty happy with my performance," Khatri said. 'Then, the coach showed more trust in me and made me play in the semi-final and final matches of the season. I got a chance in the semis because Sombir was out due to fever. I didn't have any experience of playing in the playoffs but the coach gave me the confidence," he further added. The young defender considers himself fortunate to be part of a championship-winning team so early in his career. Reflecting on his journey, he said, 'When I came in Season 10, there was of course some pressure, but at the same time, everyone motivated me. They gave me a free hand and encouraged me to play my natural game. I feel lucky and very fortunate that I became a champion in just my second season" A key influence in his early days was Iranian star Mohammadreza Shadloui. 'I also shared a very good bond with Mohammadreza Shadloui. He treated me like a younger brother," he added. Khatri expressed heartfelt gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support throughout the Pro Kabaddi League. 'The Pro Kabaddi League has truly changed my life. It's given me a platform, an identity, and the chance to grow as a player," he concluded. The Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 will be broadcast live on the Star Sports Network and streamed on JioHotstar. view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 25, 2025, 21:19 IST News sports 'We're Confident And Ready': Gaurav Khatri Eyes More Glory In PKL Season 12 Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
17-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
'The Corner Defender Is The Pillar Of The Team:' Yogesh Dahiya On His Record-Breaking Bulls Move
Yogesh Dahiya, 23, became the most expensive Indian defender in PKL history, signed by Bengaluru Bulls for INR 1.125 crores. The television screen flickered with anticipation as three Pro Kabaddi League franchises locked horns in an intense bidding war. Sitting in his modest home, Yogesh Dahiya watched his fate unfold in real-time, his heart racing with each escalating bid. 'I was watching the player auction live on TV. I could see Bengaluru Bulls bidding, then Patna Pirates, then Bengal Warriorz. I was watching all this unfold," recalls the 23-year-old defender. He emerged as the most expensive Indian defender bought during a PKL Player Auction, after he was signed by Bengaluru Bulls for a staggering INR 1.125 crores. The auction room drama translated into a whirlwind of emotions for the young athlete. 'There was a little nervousness – what will happen? Who will take me? Which franchise will I join? But overall, it was very interesting and fun," he reflected. When the hammer finally fell in Bulls' favor, the celebration wasn't just confined to the franchise's war room. Back in his village, his family erupted in joy after it was confirmed that he is now the most expensive Indian defender in the history of the PKL Player Auction. 'My family was very happy. Mom and dad were so happy that their child had become so valuable. They felt proud that I had achieved this recognition," Dahiya shared. This wasn't always the story. The path from village fields to professional stardom began almost by accident in 2018. 'The seniors used to play in the village. Looking at them, I developed an interest in playing kabaddi. It helped me avoid school work, and I also enjoyed it," he admitted with characteristic honesty. Family support wasn't immediate. 'In the beginning, there wasn't much support. But after I started performing better, the family became interested. They started supporting me. On days when I didn't feel like going to practice, they would say 'get up, go to practice. What will you do at home?'" The transformation from skepticism to unwavering support mirrors Dahiya's own evolution as a player. The catalyst for his development came from an unexpected source – his uncle's son, who recognized raw talent where others saw just another village boy. 'He introduced me to the game. He made me start playing. He guided me constantly, gave me advice regularly, and worked very hard with me." This mentorship laid the foundation for what would become a remarkable journey. Dahiya's rise through the ranks hasn't been built on flashy moves or attention-grabbing antics. Instead, he's earned his reputation as a 'silent killer" – a defender who strikes with precision rather than spectacle. His philosophy is refreshingly simple yet profound: 'You have to play with patience. Don't be too aggressive, and don't make too many mistakes. Make your tackles at the right time. Play for your team. When there's a need to tackle, I tackle for my team. Don't play for yourself." The record-breaking contract brings with it enormous expectations, but Dahiya appears unfazed by the pressure. 'I feel very good being part of Bengaluru Bulls. I will play for them and represent them this season," he states with the quiet confidence that has become his trademark. His ambitions for the upcoming season are crystal clear, as he concluded by saying, 'I want to do my best for my team. And this year, I hope we can lift the cup – that's what I'm aiming for." It's a goal that reflects both personal ambition and collective responsibility – hallmarks of a player who understands that individual success means nothing without team triumph. Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
10-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 To Kickstart From August 29
The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) announced on Wednesday that Season 12 of the competition will commence on Friday, August 29. Season 12 will see reigning champions Haryana Steelers return to defend their maiden title, following their spectacular victory in Season 11. The competitive balance of the league continues to showcase the unpredictability that has made PKL one of India's most exciting sporting spectacles. With all twelve franchises strengthening their squads through the recently concluded auction, the upcoming season promises to deliver unprecedented levels of competition and entertainment. The venues and other details for Season 12 will be announced soon. Commenting on the commencement of season 12, Anupam Goswami, Business Head - Mashal & League Commissioner - Pro Kabaddi, stated as quoted by PKL press release, "We are thrilled to unveil the commencement date for PKL Season 12. Following a record-breaking Player Auction, which saw 10 players cross the INR 1 crore mark, we have set a foundation for what promises to be our most competitive season yet. We look forward to bringing fans another thrilling chapter of kabaddi action." The highly anticipated Pro Kabaddi League season 12 Player Auction took place in Mumbai on May 31 and June 1, where a record-breaking 10 players secured contracts exceeding Rs. 1 crore, setting a new benchmark for the competition. Under the aegis and sanction from the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), Mashal Sports and JioStar have built PKL into one of India's most successful sports leagues. The Pro Kabaddi League has transformed India's indigenous sport of Kabaddi and its athletes on the national and global stage. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
