MUMBAI: World Kabaddi League today unveiled the league franchisees names and logos. Wave Group will be the title sponsor for the inaugural edition of the league. The announcements were made in the presence of World Kabaddi League President and Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab Sukhbir Singh Badal, WKL Commissioner Pargat Singh, WKL CEO Raman Raheja, WKL league franchise owners Yo Yo Honey Singh, Akshay Kumar, Sonakshi Sinha, Rajat Bedi, Wave Group Chairman Rajinder Chadha, and MSM Sony Entertainment N P Singh. The franchisee owners- Fastway Sports Development Pvt. Ltd, Tut Group, Mr Purewal, Hayre Group, Mr. Sanan from R & AAR Communications Pvt. Ltd. (Focus Haryana) were also present at the event.
Respective franchisee owners showcased their team logos. The marquee players made impactful entries exhibiting their passion for the sport. Speaking on the occasion Badal said, ““I always wanted to transform the sports landscape and enable the growth of a multi-sport culture in India. Kabaddi is a truly indigenous Indian sport and promotes healthy lifestyle amongst the youth. I wanted to take it to the next level and hence I decided to take this indigenous Indian sport to a global platform through World Kabaddi League. The league will bring acclaimed Indian and international players on the same platform. I am thankful to all the promoters, partners and other associates who have shown faith in us and supported us in launching the league. I truly believe that World Kabaddi League will begin an American style private sporting culture in India.”
WKL Commissioner Pargat Singh, Commissioner said “Kabaddi is an extraordinary sport. It’s a sport that requires no equipment and very little space. There's a lot of excitement in this sport which has an intrinsic potential to become a top spectator sport. World Kabaddi League aims to build an ecosystem to showcase our sporting talent at an international level. We believe kabaddi will offer an engrossing and engaging experience to the audience.” WKL CEO Raman Raheja said, “World Kabaddi League is all set to take off and we all are very excited. We are thankful for the support we have gotten from all the stakeholders for the league. We are grateful to the Wave Group who have always promoted sports in India and this time they have associated with us to promote Kabaddi and help us in taking it to the global level. The support which we have gotten from the team owners is exceptional and I am sure that it will be a great entertaining league for everyone.”
Wave Group Chairman Rajinder Singh Chadha said, “Wave Group has strong association with sports in India. We have always promoted off beat sports. Kabaddi is the rustic charm of our country. Most of the Indians associate themselves with kabaddi. We are proud to be associated with World Kabaddi League. We believe the global format of World Kabaddi League will bring paradigm shift in the sports entertainment industry.”
MSM Sony Entertainment CEO N P Singh said, “We are excited to be the broadcast partner of the World Kabaddi League. Kabaddi is all set to go international with WKL. There's a lot of inherent action & excitement in the sport and it brings something unique and fresh for the viewers. We will make every effort to popularize the sport across the globe. We are confident that we will create immense visibility for the sport among the fans not only in India but all over in the world.”
Also present at the event was International Tractors Limited Managing Director Deepak Mittal, who is one of the official partners of the league. The company is into the business of manufacturing popular tractor brand ‘Sonalika’.
PTC is going to be the international TV Broadcast partner for WKL across markets of North America, South America, United Kingdom and Canada. World Kabaddi League is set to kick off from 9 August and will see various national and international Kabaddi players in action through 8 franchisees. The league will follow the Formula 1 style touring sports format and will be played across 3 continents. With 86 matches, the first season will be played on the weekends.
WKL aims to become the go-to brand when it comes to sports entertainment and delivering value to its partners and sponsors. WKL as a brand embodies strength, power, agility, tactic, entertainment, masculinity and aggression. It is taking an indigenous sport to the world and redefining it for the Indian audience. It gives Kabaddi a ‘gladiatorial’ persona and adds loads of spunk and aura around the sport. WKL will vie for a niche currently occupied by well-established sports like football, WWE, and cricket. WKL brand visual identity, tone and texture are global and aspirational.
