Royals on the mat Rohtak stakes its claim in kabaddi’s new league

MUMBAI: Kabaddi’s newest contest is shaping up to be as much about muscle as it is about method. Adroit Sports Ventures LLP has acquired the Rohtak Royals, the Haryana-based franchise set to compete in the inaugural season of the Kabaddi Champions League (KCL), planting Rohtak firmly on the national kabaddi map.

Adding weight to the move, KMC Constructions Limited has come on board as the strategic partner for the franchise, bringing together grassroots sport and large-scale infrastructure expertise in a collaboration that signals long-term ambition rather than a short-term punt.

For Rohtak and Haryana more broadly the timing feels apt. The state’s kabaddi pedigree runs deep, producing generations of players known for aggression, stamina and tactical grit. Adroit Sports Ventures says its focus is to turn that raw, village-level talent into structured, professional excellence, with clear pathways from grassroots to elite competition.

Founded with an eye on youth development, Adroit Sports Ventures operates on the philosophy of “Kheloge Kudoge Banoge Lajawaab”, emphasising early talent identification, systematic training programmes and professional team management. The firm is guided by entrepreneur Gajendra Sharma, who incubates multiple start-ups across sectors, and driven operationally by Aishwarya Bhargava, with a focus on sustainable sports ecosystems rather than one-season success.

“Rohtak and Haryana have a deep-rooted kabaddi culture that has produced fearless warriors for generations,” Sharma said, outlining a vision to channel that legacy into world-class competition. The aim, he added, is to carry Haryana’s fearless DNA onto the mat and make Rohtak a name opponents remember.

The partnership with KMC Constructions adds a different kind of strength. Headquartered in Hyderabad, KMC is a seasoned player in highways, airport runways, bridges and BOT projects, with decades of experience executing large-scale infrastructure across India. For the company, the move into sport mirrors its core philosophy of building strong foundations.

“We believe in building institutions that last, whether in infrastructure or sport,” said KMC Constructions director Shashank Shekhar. The association, he noted, is about contributing to kabaddi’s growth while backing a team with regional pride at its core.

As preparations begin for the Kabaddi Champions League’s debut season, Rohtak Royals are positioning themselves not just as another new entrant, but as a franchise built on planning, patience and performance. In a league that promises high-impact action, Rohtak’s Royals are betting that solid groundwork off the mat will matter just as much as power plays on it.