18 october 2024 : The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is poised for its highly anticipated return on Friday, October 18, kicking off with the ‘Battle of Breath’ featuring the Telugu Titans against the Bengaluru Bulls at the GMCB Indoor Stadium in Gachibowli, Hyderabad.
Before the season begins, a grand launch event took place at Hyatt Place in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. This event was attended by Anupam Goswami, the PKL League Commissioner and Head of Sports Leagues at Mashal Sports, alongside team captains Pawan Sehrawat (Telugu Titans) and Pardeep Narwal (Bengaluru Bulls). Captains from the other 10 teams were also present to celebrate the start of the new season.
A highlight of the event was an exhibition match featuring the PKL captains teamed up with notable creators, thanks to a partnership with Meta. Well-known creators like the Big Nerds, Hardik Banga, Sidhant Sarfare, and Ashish Singh participated, bringing a fresh and engaging aspect to the sport.
Reflecting on the PKL’s journey and the upcoming season, Anupam Goswami remarked, “The first decade of the PKL has been an incredible success. Our focus now is on leveraging these experiences for the next phase and building on our success stories. The support for players has been remarkable, and the pride they feel as kabaddi athletes is a standout element. After revitalizing this world-class Indian sport, our next goal is to expand the PKL’s reach internationally. We’ve seen significant global interest, and our fan-first approach remains our top priority.”
Telugu Titans’ captain Pawan Sehrawat shared his enthusiasm for the opening match, stating, “I am excited that we, the Telugu Titans, will kick off the season in Hyderabad in front of our home crowd. Their support has always been incredible, and I believe it will be the same when we take the mat. The team is in good form, and we are optimistic about our prospects.”
Bengaluru Bulls’ captain Pardeep Narwal, who is back with the team that marked his PKL debut, expressed his readiness for the challenge. He said, “Season 11 of the PKL is going to be huge. We are thrilled about the tournament and have prepared thoroughly during the pre-season. Our team is well-rounded, and the Bulls are eager to start strong.”
Preparations for PKL 11 began on an exciting note, with eight players sold for over INR 1 crore at the auction in Mumbai. After the clash between Pawan and Pardeep, the second match of the evening will feature U Mumba’s Sunil Kumar—the most expensive Indian defender in PKL history, purchased for INR 1.015 crore—going up against Naveen Kumar, a star raider for Dabang Delhi K.C.
This year, the PKL returns to a three-city format, starting at the GMCB Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad from October 18 to November 9. The tournament will then move to the Noida Indoor Stadium for the second leg from November 10 to December 1, concluding at the Badminton Hall in the Balewadi Sports Complex, Pune, from December 3 to December 24.
As PKL enters its 11th season, our commitment to prioritizing fans—both digitally and in-person—remains steadfast. This season, we are excited to offer our superfans unique experiences that we plan to expand in the future. Through engaging digital initiatives and unforgettable moments in the stadium, we aim to forge lasting connections and make our fans an essential part of the PKL journey.
