Latest news with #SJUpliftKabaddiPvtLtd
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League to kick off second season on December 25
The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League ( UPKL ) will return for its second season on December 25 in Noida. Following its debut last year, the league will feature more teams, additional matches, and a focus on local kabaddi talent. Independence Day 2025 Before Trump, British used tariffs to kill Indian textile Bank of Azad Hind: When Netaji gave India its own currency Swadeshi 2.0: India is no longer just a market, it's a maker Season 1 drew more than 30 million television viewers, according to BARC India, and over 300 million digital impressions, with significant engagement from audiences in smaller cities. This year, the league will host around 64 matches over 17 days, beginning with a league phase and ending with playoffs. Player selection will once again take place through an auction. Last year's season saw performances from players including Arjun Deshwal, Vinay Tewatiya, Shubham Kumar, Sahul Kumar, Abhishek Thakur, Mohd Aman, Nitin Panwer, Abhijeet Malik, and Arpit Sroha. Organizers expect a mix of returning players and new faces for the upcoming edition. 'The success of UPKL Season 1 reflected the growing interest in kabaddi in our state,' said Sambhav Jain, Director and Founder of SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd. 'We aim to continue providing a platform for local talent and to further develop the sport in Uttar Pradesh.' The UPKL is organised by SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd in association with the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi Association. Organisers say more details on participating teams and fixtures will be announced in the coming weeks. Live Events
India Gazette
30-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
World Super Kabaddi League kicks off new chapter for Kabaddi
New Delhi [India], June 30 (ANI): World Super Kabaddi League (WSKL) and the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) announced the launch of the inaugural edition of WSKL - a groundbreaking step towards making Kabaddi a truly global sport. With the active engagement of nearly 30 countries and formal confirmation from 20 national federations, the inaugural season is tentatively scheduled for February-March 2026 and will be hosted in Dubai, a strategic location chosen to maximise international exposure and fan accessibility. Following the success of UPKL, under the banner 'Apna Bharat, Apna Khel', which focused on nurturing talent within India, WSKL represents a bold new chapter. Unlike UPKL, which was largely India-centric, WSKL has been conceptualised as an international platform with a singular mission: to globalise Kabaddi and pave the way for its inclusion in the Olympic Games. WSKL is backed by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) and holds commercial rights through the South Asian Kabaddi Federation, positioning it as a credible and globally supported league. WSKL will adopt a franchise-based model featuring eight teams in its inaugural season. Setting itself apart from existing leagues, each team will showcase a strong international presence alongside Indian talent, reflecting the league's commitment to building a truly global Kabaddi ecosystem. WSKL is fully owned and operated by SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd and was founded by Sambhav Jain, a passionate advocate for the growth and modernisation of Kabaddi. Speaking about this ambitious new venture, Sambhav Jain, Director and Founder, SJ uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd, said as quoted by WSKL press release, 'Kabaddi has always deserved a larger stage, not just for India but for the global sporting community. With WSKL, our goal is to reimagine the sport for a global audience, unlock international talent, and take decisive steps towards Olympic recognition. The success of UPKL gave us the foundation, but WSKL is about creating a Kabaddi league that belongs to the world. We are building this with a vision for the next decade, not just the next season.' The league has committed a total player purse of 48 crore across its eight franchises, underscoring the strong investment appetite for this new sports property. WSKL has already secured interest and participation from prominent Kabaddi nations, including South Korea, Iran, Thailand, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, Canada, and the United States, with discussions underway to onboard additional countries. The World Super Kabaddi League is designed not as a seasonal tournament but as an evolving global sports property. SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd is committed to building WSKL as a 12-month, year-round Kabaddi ecosystem, creating opportunities for sustained fan engagement, off-season activities, and long-term player development. With WSKL, SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd is setting a new benchmark for Kabaddi, creating an international movement that aspires to bring the sport to a much larger and more diverse audience. (ANI)
