The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) is set to revolutionize the sport of kabaddi in India. The inaugural season of the UPKL will commence on July 11, 2024, and conclude on July 25, 2024, at the Noida Indoor Stadium in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. This league is a joint initiative by 1X Sports and the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi Association.
League Overview
The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) aims to promote kabaddi and provide a platform for talented youngsters to showcase their skills. The league will feature eight teams representing different regions of Uttar Pradesh, competing in a total of 59 matches over 15 days. The league’s primary objective is to expand the kabaddi fanbase and present the sport in a modern way that resonates with younger audiences.
Teams and Owners
The eight teams participating in the UPKL 2024 are:
- Awadh Ramdoot: Owned by Rajesh Kumar Yadav
- Brij Stars: Owned by Robin Chaudhary
- Ganga Kings of Mirzapur: Owned by Mohit Baliyan
- JD Noida Ninjas: Owned by Shivam Thakur
- Kashi Kings: Owned by Kulvant Baliyan
- Lucknow Lions: Owned by Nitin Pawar
- Yamuna Yodhas: Owned by Vinay Tevathiya
- Sangam Challengers: Owned by Vijay Tevathiya
Each team will comprise 15 players, totaling 120 participants from Uttar Pradesh and other regions of India. The teams are owned by various prominent figures and organizations dedicated to promoting kabaddi in the state.
Player Auction
The UPKL 2024 player auction was held on June 10, 2024, at the Sarovar Hotel in Noida. Approximately 350-400 players went under the hammer, categorized into four categories: A, B, C, and D. The base prices for these categories were set at INR 1 lakh, INR 60,000, INR 40,000, and INR 25,000, respectively.
Indian kabaddi stars Arjun Deshwal and Vinay Tevathiya became the most expensive buys in the UPKL 2024 player auction, each acquired for INR 3.10 lakh by Lucknow Lions and Yamuna Yodhas, respectively. Other notable buys included young raider Abhijit Malik (INR 2.60 lakh) and defender Ashu Singh (INR 1.50 lakh).
Venue and Broadcast
All UPKL 2024 matches will be played at the Noida Indoor Stadium in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The matches will be telecast live on Sony Sports Ten 3 and Sony Sports Ten 3 HD TV channels. Additionally, live streaming will be available on the SonyLIV app and website.
Trophy Tour
To engage fans across the state, the UPKL will embark on a “UPKL Trophy Tour 2024,” visiting over 20 major cities in a span of 20-25 days. This initiative aims to bring the excitement of the league closer to kabaddi fans and promote the sport at the grassroots level.
Slogan
The slogan for the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) is “Apna Bharat, Apna Khel, Ab Khelega Uttar Pradesh”. This slogan emphasizes the league’s mission to promote kabaddi as a sport deeply rooted in Indian culture and to encourage participation from the youth of Uttar Pradesh.
Tournament Format
The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) follows a structured tournament format:
- League Stage: The tournament begins with a round-robin format where each of the eight teams plays against every other team once. This stage ensures that all teams have an equal opportunity to compete and showcase their skills.
- Semi-Finals: The top four teams from the league stage advance to the semi-finals. The teams are ranked based on their performance in the league stage.
- Final: The winners of the semi-finals face off in the final match to determine the champion of the UPKL.
The tournament will feature a total of 59 matches over a span of 15 days, all held at the Noida Indoor Stadium.
Founder
The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) was founded by Sambhav Jain. Jain is a visionary in the field of sports management and has played a crucial role in establishing the UPKL as a premier kabaddi league in India. His dedication to promoting kabaddi and providing a platform for emerging talent has been instrumental in the league’s success.
The UPKL is a joint initiative by 1X Sports and the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi Association, with the support of the state government to promote the sport at the grassroots level.
Conclusion
The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) is poised to become a significant milestone in the history of kabaddi in India. With its focus on promoting the sport, engaging fans, and providing a platform for emerging talent, the UPKL is set to make a lasting impact on the kabaddi landscape. As the inaugural season approaches, fans eagerly await the thrilling matches and the emergence of new kabaddi stars.
I love Cricket and Kabaddi and know a lot about them. I like talking about matches and players, helping people understand these sports better. Additionally, I enjoy providing predictions for upcoming games to add an extra layer of excitement for fans.
