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Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 celebrated India’s 79th Independence Day by honoring heroes.
PKL 12 is coming soon.
As India celebrates its 79th Independence Day, Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 honours the nation’s heroes by showcasing a sport that embodies the country’s heritage, values, and resilience. The league proudly features the inspiring stories of 16 players and four coaches who represent the Services, balancing their duties both on the field and at the borders.
On this significant occasion, Bharat, an all-rounder from the Telugu Titans, expressed, “Kabaddi is not just a sport, it is a part of our tradition. On Independence Day, we remember the courage, teamwork, and sacrifice of our freedom fighters. This is a way to pay tribute to them.”
He further added, “This is a great honour for me. Wearing the Services jersey signifies a commitment to the nation, and playing in the PKL allows me to showcase my talent to the whole country. Both roles, in their own way, serve the nation.”
Varinder Singh, a proud member of the Indian Air Force for 17 years and now an assistant coach for Gujarat Giants, shared similar feelings, “It is a proud thing to serve my country. This is the first time I have the opportunity to wear the Gujarat Giants jersey. It is a proud moment, and I am getting the chance to do two things that are close to my heart.”
Highlighting how attributes learned in the armed forces shape the game, he added, “We learn discipline, respect, and teamwork in the Armed Forces, and these are qualities essential in Kabaddi as well. We learn to respect our game and have a sense of responsibility for our nation and our team.”
Reflecting on his background in the Services, Bharat noted, “Both taught me that discipline and dedication are the most valuable qualities. The Forces taught me the meaning of teamwork, and kabaddi and the PKL further strengthened it. These experiences have made me a responsible, focused, and proud Indian.”
Bharat elaborated on how his armed forces experience translates to excellence on the mat, “The Forces taught me to stay calm under pressure and make quick decisions. In kabaddi, I use that same focus to read the game, show aggression in attack, and fearlessness in defence.”
Varinder Singh also highlighted how kabaddi encourages mass participation from the army and serves as motivation for him in his debut season as assistant coach. “You can see how many Services players participate in kabaddi. Even when I coach in the Air Force, I see that they do their duty for their country. They serve at the border and also participate in the game. That motivates me. We learn a lot from our duty and our games. It is a combination of both. We understand that to achieve something, we have to give our best,” he concluded.
Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 starts on August 29 in Vizag, with Telugu Titans facing Tamil Thalaivas in the first match, and Bengaluru Bulls playing against Puneri Paltan in the second match of the day. The league stage will take place in four cities, including Jaipur, Chennai, and New Delhi.
(With PTI Inputs)
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