Gone are the days when only Sachin Tendulkar and Baichung Bhutia were household names in India.
After the success of the first season of Pro Kabaddi League, now even kabaddi players hold a celebrity status. While the first season was all about giving some of the relatively unknown players a platform to showcase their skills, there has been a huge sense of interest this time.
The first match of the franchise-based league was viewed by 435 million people across the country, which is almost three times the number of people who watched the 2014 FIFA World Cup in India.
Undoubtedly, the biggest achievement of this year’s Pro Kabaddi has been that the league has thrown up some really amazing stories which have left people awestruck.
So here’s some of those success stories:
1. Shabeer Bapu Sharfudheen, 29 years old
- Team: U Mumba
- Works as a clerk in State Bank of Mysore in Bangalore.
- Considered as one of the best raiders of World Kabaddi.
2. Selvamani K, 24 years old
- Team: Dabang Delhi
- Pursuing a B.Ed degree at Annamalai University.
- Known for his agility which allows him to sneak past defenders in a flash.
3. Sonu Narwal, 29 years old
- Team: Jaipur Pink Panthers
- DSP Of Haryana Police.
- Enjoys catching criminals and playing kabaddi as well.
4. Deepak Nivas Hudda, 21 years old
- Team: Telugu Titans
- Lost his parents at a very early age.
- Worked as a part-time teacher for his living and to pursue a career in kabaddi.
5. Vikas Tomar, 21 years old
- Team: Puneri Paltan
- Studies were always his first priority.
- Works in the Railways in Patiala.
6. Sandeep Narwal, 22 years old
- Team: Patna Pirates
- Captain of Patna Pirates.
- The Khap Panchayat of his village wanted him to pursue kabaddi as a career.
7. Pravin Niwale, 22 years old
- Team: Puneri Paltan
- Developing the sport in Maharashtra.
- Runs an academy where he personally trains young kids.
8. Rahul Chaudhari, 22 years old
- Team: Telegu Titans
- Got beaten up by his parents when he was a kid for playing kabaddi.
- Now Star Raider of his team and supports his family.
9. Dadaso Awad, 28 years old
- Team: Dabang Delhi
- He is an inspiration on and off the court.
- Sponsors education and helps poor kids go to school.
10. Kashiling Adake, 22 years old
- Team: Dabang Delhi
- Was a farmer and worked in the fields after his father passed away.
- Even joined the sugarcane factory to support his family.
India, as a country, has won all the Asian Games, World Cups, and Indoor Asian Games matches held so far and it is no surprise that they are the future of Indian kabaddi.
Most of these stars may not have represented India but rest assured they will take home something special from this franchise-based league.