Kabaddi, India’s own sport, has brought about a revolution in the country’s sporting landscape. Despite cricket being the most popular sport in India, the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has emerged as the second-most-watched event, just behind the Indian Premier League (IPL). Abhishek Bachchan, a Bollywood actor and the owner of PKL franchise Jaipur Pink Panthers, recently spoke to NDTV about his love for kabaddi and how he became involved in the sport.
Abhishek Bachchan, who is a sports fan and holds basketball, football, and cricket close to his heart, revealed that it was industrialist Anand Mahindra who introduced him to kabaddi. During an interview with NDTV, Abhishek shared that Mr. Mahindra proposed the idea of starting the Pro Kabaddi League. Intrigued by the concept, Abhishek and his team conducted research to determine the feasibility of such a league. The findings left them amazed.
“About 10 or 11 years ago, whenever I used to meet Mr. Anand Mahindra socially, we would always talk about sports. He knew of my love for basketball, football, and cricket. In one such meeting, he mentioned that he was putting together a league called the Pro Kabaddi League. He asked if I would be interested in joining it,” Abhishek recalled.
Initially taken aback by the mention of kabaddi, Abhishek’s curiosity was piqued. He decided to delve deeper into the sport. As a child, Abhishek had played kabaddi casually, but witnessing the modern-day version of the game intrigued him. He even attended a local kabaddi tournament near his home, where he was blown away by the electrifying atmosphere created by the enthusiastic crowd.
“It was a local tournament, but there were 10,000 people watching. I wondered why we hadn’t showcased this on a national stage. Kabaddi ticked all the boxes for the kind of work I wanted to do in sports. I spoke to Mr. Mahindra and told him that I’m on board,” Abhishek explained.
The popularity of kabaddi has not only increased in terms of viewership but also in terms of player salaries. Abhishek himself admitted that some kabaddi players earn more than him, highlighting the significant growth and recognition the sport has achieved.
The success of the Pro Kabaddi League has undoubtedly positioned kabaddi as a prominent sport in India. With passionate individuals like Abhishek Bachchan and the support of industrialists like Anand Mahindra, the future of kabaddi seems brighter than ever.
