Kabaddi is a hot property in Tamil Nadu: Charu Sharma

"We were very keen to have TN represented through Chennai as a franchise in the first season. Kabaddi in Chennai and TN is a hot property," said Charu during the pre-auction press conference.  

"It was a shame that we couldn't get Chennai in our inaugural edition but what joy as we ultimately had a team from that territory four seasons later," added Charu.

The commentator asserted that he was heartbroken after he came to know that one of the eight franchises (Chennai) had fallen out just one day prior to PKL 1 auction.

"It was one of those crazy situations where we were well on way to have somebody (owner) from Chennai but it didn't happen and it crushed me. I then contacted Rajesh Shah (owner of three-time champion Patna Pirates) to know if he was interested in being a part of the venture," Charu said.

The television presenter remarked that he took inspiration from a tournament that took place in Coimbatore, in which fans came out in droves. 

"TN was the one which gave me the heart. A few months before the first edition in 2013, there was a kabaddi tournament in Coimbatore. The maximum price of a ticket was Rs 500. This is one example for how I derived strength from TN," he added.    

Tamil Thalaivas management member Nitin Kukreja commented on what prompted the franchise to hand over the team to Edachery Bhaskaran, former U Mumba coach. 

"We lay equal emphasis on both the first team and the grassroots programme. We felt Kasinathan Baskaran could strengthen the latter and hence we decided to appoint Bhaskaran as head coach of the first team," said Nitin.  

"For us at the Thalaivas, it's not just about PKL but taking the sport further. We not only have a national-level coach looking at our first team, but we also have a similar one to head our grassroots programme as well," added Nitin.  

He also revealed the franchise's plan to set up the first residential academy for kabaddi in the country. "We are planning to have one where 70 kids will get free education and training," he declared.

"We have been working closely with the state federation, which has been doing a brilliant job so far in terms of making kabaddi what it is in TN," signed off Nitin.