MUMBAI: Over the last three seasons of the Pro Kabaddi League, Mumbai’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Stadium has often been packed to the brim for matches. On Saturday, as the fourth season of PKL began, not even four months after the third season ended, pockets of space were visible in the stands.
Before the season started, the organisers and franchise owners were confident that the sport of kabaddi could sustain itself even with hosting two seasons over one year, which not even the cash-rich Indian Premier League has attempted so far. Their reasoning was that since the sport does not have any other national or international televised event, fans will lap up the action.
To be fair to the organisers, the league has often witnessed packed out stands in most venues which leagues like Hockey India League (HIL), Pro Wrestling League ( PWL) and I ndian Badminton League (IBL) have struggled to manage.
Notably on Saturday, the seats available for the general public at the stadium were also considerably reduced this season as one entire section of the stands has been closed to the public, a giant TV screen blocking them out.
One plausible reason given for the turnout is that the matches are being hosted by the Pune franchise, which had to move their home leg to Mumbai as the Balewadi Stadium was hosting a Narendra Modi event. However, it must be noted that the Mumbai team was also in action on Saturday.
{{/usCountry}}One plausible reason given for the turnout is that the matches are being hosted by the Pune franchise, which had to move their home leg to Mumbai as the Balewadi Stadium was hosting a Narendra Modi event. However, it must be noted that the Mumbai team was also in action on Saturday.
{{/usCountry}}Puneri Paltan manager Kailash Kandpal had told reporters on Friday that as many as 700 home fans would be travelling to Mumbai for Pune’s home games over four days which represent their home matches.