Pro Kabaddi League has helped unearth new talent: Goswami

Pro Kabaddi League has not only helped popularise kabaddi across the country but also enabled unearth new talent, who have showcased their skills among the best in the business, said the league's Commissioner Anupam Goswami.

"The League has grown from strength to strength with each season. The surge in consumption of VIVO Pro Kabaddi League is a strong indicator of the kind of love our country has for its home-grown sport," he said in an e-mail interaction.

He said PKL has managed to strike a chord and play up the latent but extremely strong widespread support for kabaddi.

"The growth of the league has been commendable. A lot of that has to do with the high-octane nature of game play inherent in the sport, as well as the way it's been packaged and presented," Goswami added.

He said the growing numbers with regard to viewership and popularity of the players was testimony to the fact that kabaddi was enjoying increased patronage.

"PKL's season-5 saw an increase in viewership numbers and the finale became the most viewed non-cricket sporting event in India. Our players too, today have become heroes,with their popularity increasing season on season. Overall the league and franchises, with the support of the Federation, have managed to re-ignite the country's love for kabaddi," he added.

The PKL Commissioner further said steps were being taken to consolidate the gains in the past seasons, adding the focus now would be on quality of matchplay.

"The value proposition of PKL has already been demonstrated, among other things, by the very successful expansion for season V to welcome four new teams. We are consolidating the systemic gains around this expansion for the league. Given the format that's currently paying dividends, we are staying with the current 12 teams and will be focusing on quality of matchplay and enhancing the fan experience."