Pro Kabaddi revolutionised the sport: Mahesh

“The impact of the PKL in popularising the sport has been tremendous. What it has done is help spot young blood from the remote parts of the country and bring them to mainstream. The league has given kabaddi a new identity something that would have been unimaginable a few years ago,” said the 42-year-old. This year the fans of the sport in Tamil Nadu have another reason to celebrate — the chance to root for their own team in Tamil Thalaivas. 

“Definitely, it will boost the profile of the sport in TN. Youngsters will be encouraged to pursue this sport as a full-time profession. PKL has helped the sport shed its non-glamorous image and ensured that the players who do well will be financially rewarded,” added Mahesh, who has completed his 19th year as a professional player. For a player who wears the sport on his sleeve, it pains him no end to see the negligent attitude of the administrators, who he alleges have been a bane to the sport. 

“Players are deprived of the basic facilities at the grassroots level. They should hold a camp for nationals for 25-30 days. But as things stand it is being held for only seven days. Besides, there is no focus on the training and fitness regimen. Schools and colleges should also step forward and include kabaddi in the summer coaching camp,” said Mahesh. There have been demands that kabaddi be a part of the Olympics and it came as no surprise to see Mahesh throwing his weight behind that idea. 

“It’s our hope and desire that the IOA will include kabaddi in its list of sporting disciplines. Currently, it’s a part of the Asian Games. Kabaddi’s popularity is on the rise in the whole of South Asia as we witnessed during last year’s World Cup when India triumphed defeating Iran in the final in front a packed audience,” recalled Mahesh. Mahesh expressed the hope that the future of kabaddi in India will be secure with the advent of PKL and with a little more positive intent from the men that matter, there will be no threat to India’s hegemony as the regional powerhouse.