Wed Oct 22 15:00:00 UTC 2025: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pro Kabaddi League Inspires Future Stars Ahead of Youth Asian Games

By ANI
Updated: Oct 17, 2025 17:42 IST

New Delhi [India], October 17 (ANI): The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has taken a significant step in nurturing the next generation of Indian Kabaddi players by inviting India’s youth teams to witness the excitement of top-tier competition. This initiative, organized in anticipation of the upcoming Youth Asian Games, aims to inspire and prepare young athletes for international success.

According to a release from PKL, the youth squads, under the guidance of esteemed coaches Srinivas Reddy, Deepak Niwas Hooda, and Mamtha Poojari, attended a triple-header match day at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium in Delhi. They witnessed thrilling encounters, including a tiebreaker between Patna Pirates and Bengaluru Bulls, as well as matches between Telugu Titans and U Mumba, and Haryana Steelers against UP Yoddhas.

Srinivas Reddy emphasized the importance of this opportunity, stating that witnessing the sport at the highest level in front of a large crowd would be incredibly inspiring for the young players. “This is the generation you’re going to see play in the PKL in the future,” he noted, as quoted by PKL.

Former PKL star Deepak Niwas Hooda echoed this sentiment, adding that watching PKL helps the youth analyze match situations and visualize themselves playing at that level.

Coaches extended their gratitude to the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), Mashal Sports, and Star Sports for facilitating this unique experience. Mamtha Poojari, coach of the Indian Girls Team, explained how she used the opportunity to prepare her squad for the pressures of competing on a big stage, pointing out subtle nuances and focusing on the players’ unwavering concentration amidst the crowd.

The initiative highlighted the impact of the PKL in inspiring younger generations, with many players idolizing PKL stars. Poojari shared anecdotes of players excited to watch their favorite players, Ayan and Sunil, in action, observing their patience and team leadership.

Looking ahead, Srinivas Reddy emphasized the broader impact of this initiative. “This is the generation of players that will go on to win the Asian Games, National Championships for India,” he stated, expressing hope that this generation will represent India at the Olympics, potentially when India hosts the Games in 2036.

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