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Tag: Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League

  • Big moves, bigger money as UP Kabaddi heats up

    Big moves, bigger money as UP Kabaddi heats up

    MUMBAI: It wasn’t just tackles flying at the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2 player auction, wallets were too. Held in Noida, the high-voltage event saw 12 franchises flex their financial muscle, with bids totalling Rs 1.70 crore for a pool of 500 players.

    The newest entrant, Gazab Ghaziabad, made a “gazab” debut as the 12th team, joining heavyweights like Lucknow Lions, Kanpur Warriors, and Purvanchal Panthers. But the real drama unfolded at the bidding table. Vinay Tevathia topped the charts, bagging Rs 5.90 lakh from Aligarh Tigers, followed by Nitin Panwar at Rs 4.45 lakh for Ganga Kings of Mirzapur and Ashu Singh, snapped up by Noida Ninjas for Rs 4.35 lakh.

    The defending champions, Lucknow Lions, kept faith in their winning pride by retaining key players Arjun Deshwal, Vivek Chaudhary, Arpit Saroha, and Mohd Amaan.

    “UPKL has become a powerful platform for grassroots kabaddi talent and franchise value creation,” said SJ Uplift Kabaddi founder and director Sambhav Jain. “This season’s auction showcased strategic, disciplined bidding that has built balanced, competitive teams across the board.”

    The event also saw former IAS Awanish Kumar Awasthi, advisor to the Uttar Pradesh chief minister, unveil the league’s broadcast partner for the next three seasons. Kabaddi star Rahul Chaudhary, UPKL’s brand ambassador, and senior officials from the state federation were among those present.

    Season 2 kicks off on 25 December 2025 in Noida, featuring 71 matches under the tagline “Apna bharat, apna khel – khel raha hai mera pradesh.” Matches will be broadcast live on Zee Sports and ZEE5, ensuring the spirit of kabaddi reaches every corner of the country.

    From blockbuster signings to fresh rivalries, UPKL’s latest season promises plenty of action, proving once again that in Uttar Pradesh, kabaddi isn’t just a game, it’s a full-contact celebration.

     

  • Zee Sports joins hands with UPKL for 3 Years

    Zee Sports joins hands with UPKL for 3 Years

    MUMBAI: Zee Sports is making a power play in India’s sporting landscape. The network has entered into a three-year strategic partnership with Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL), becoming the exclusive broadcast and digital partner for the state’s flagship Kabaddi property.

    The collaboration, the first of its kind for a state-level sports IP, will bring the next three UPKL seasons to TV audiences on Zee Sports and to digital viewers via Zee5, expanding the league’s footprint across India.

    With the addition of four new franchises, UPKL now boasts 12 teams representing key cities across Uttar Pradesh. The partnership marks a pivotal step in UPKL’s evolution from a regional league to a nationally recognised sports enterprise focused on nurturing grassroots talent.

    “At Zee Sports, we believe in championing India’s own sporting heritage,” said Zee Sports business head Bavesh Janavlekar. “Through our vast TV network and Zee5’s digital ecosystem, this partnership will help Kabaddi get the scale and storytelling it truly deserves.”

    Echoing the sentiment, SJ Uplift Kabaddi founder and director Sambhav Jain said, “This collaboration transforms UPKL from a promising local initiative into a nationwide platform for players and fans alike. With season 2, we’re taking Kabaddi from local stadiums to living rooms across India.”

    The three-year deal will cover seasons 2, 3 and 4 of UPKL. The upcoming season 2 kicks off on December 25, 2025, in Noida, featuring 71 matches over 19 days, with live Hindi telecasts capturing the sport’s traditional spirit.

    With this move, Zee Sports and UPKL are set to turn a regional game into a national sensation, one raid at a time.

     

     

  • UPKL powers up play with new technical director

    UPKL powers up play with new technical director

    MUMBAI: The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) is gearing up for a stronger, sharper second season, and it’s making a power move on the mat. The league has appointed Tejnarayan Prasad Madhav, a veteran kabaddi coach and former gold medallist, as its new technical director ahead of Season 2.

    Currently serving as chief coach of the Bahrain National Kabaddi Team, Madhav brings decades of experience across playing, coaching and technical supervision. From mentoring squads at the Senior Nationals and Asian Games camps to shaping future champions at grassroots level, his record speaks of precision and purpose.

    Commenting on the appointment, SJ Uplift Kabaddi founder and director Sambhav Jain said, “UPKL has emerged as a credible platform that mirrors the sport’s rise across India. This season, our goal is to deepen that foundation by strengthening player development and maintaining the highest technical standards.”

    For Madhav, the focus is clear, getting every move right. “UPKL has created a structured environment where players can compete, learn and grow. My goal is to bring technical discipline and dynamic gameplay that highlights kabaddi at its finest,” he said.

    Season 2 of UPKL kicks off on 25 December 2025 in Noida, featuring 64 matches of full-throttle action. The player auction, set for 3 November, will set the stage for a season that promises both strategy and spectacle.

    With Madhav at the helm, UPKL isn’t just levelling up its game, it’s rewriting the playbook for how kabaddi should be played.

     

  • Purvanchal Panthers pounce into UPKL, expanding league to 11 teams

    Purvanchal Panthers pounce into UPKL, expanding league to 11 teams

    MUMBAI: The jungle just got louder and this time, it’s the Purvanchal Panthers making the roar. The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) has added a fresh dose of energy (and a fierce new mascot) with the induction of its latest franchise, the Purvanchal Panthers, ahead of Season 2.

    The Panthers, co-owned by entrepreneurs Arnav Gupta and Aradhya Gupta, mark Upkl’s expansion to 11 teams: a move that not only broadens the league’s reach but also deepens its regional representation.

    Conceptualised and operated by SJ uplift kabaddi pvt. ltd., the league continues its mission to blend sport, culture, and opportunity across Uttar Pradesh. The Purvanchal Panthers’ emblem, featuring a powerful panther flanked by two leaping cats, encapsulates strength, precision, and unity: values that echo the grit and pride of the Purvanchal region.

    Citiyano De Resource Exim Pvt. Ltd director Arnav Gupta brings his experience in global trade and business innovation to the team’s management. “Joining the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League is more than a business decision; it’s about celebrating the strength and spirit of Purvanchal,” he said. “Through the Purvanchal Panthers, we aim to give our region’s athletes a platform to shine and make Purvanchal proud.”

    His co-owner and sister, Citiyano De Firenze director Aradhya Gupta, helms hospitality and sports initiatives that merge professionalism with community impact. “Kabaddi reflects the energy and resilience of India’s heartland,” she said. “With the Purvanchal Panthers, we want to channel that same spirit through inclusivity and passion.”

    SJ Uplift Kabaddi founder and director Sambhav Jain welcomed the duo to the league and said, “With every new team, Upkl strengthens its mission of combining sport, culture, and opportunity. Arnav and Aradhya’s energy and vision will add a new dimension to the upcoming season.”

    With the Panthers on board, the Season 2 line-up now boasts 11 teams. The player auction is set for November 3 in Noida, with matches kicking off on Christmas day. If the first season was about establishing the league’s roots, this one looks set to be about claws, culture, and competition.
     

  • Kanpur Warriors joins Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League as newest franchise

    Kanpur Warriors joins Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League as newest franchise

    MUMBAI – Building on the resounding success of the debut season, Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL), SJ Uplift Kabaddi has announced the induction of a new franchise, Kanpur Warriors, for UPKL Season 2. The team owned and operated by BA Sports Club LLP, and led by entrepreneur Bhumika Vora, marks a major push to bring kabaddi into the cultural spotlight of one of Uttar Pradesh’s most passionate cities.

    Conceptualized, owned, and operated by SJ Uplift Kabaddi, UPKL continues to expand into kabaddi-strong belts across the state. With Kanpur’s long-standing kabaddi heritage, vibrant youth circuits, and growing appetite for competitive sport, Kanpur Warriors’ addition marks a strategic milestone in the league’s mission to deepen inclusivity and unearth local heroes.

    Talking about the announcement, Sambhav Jain, Director and Founder, SJ Uplift Kabaddi, said, “UPKL was always envisioned as a launchpad for grassroots athletes, transforming kabaddi from a gully sport into a structured professional ecosystem. Following the extraordinary success of  Season 1, welcoming new cities like Kanpur is not just growth; it is our evolution. Kanpur’s inclusion strengthens our vision to build a tiered ladder for athletes: from local leagues to UPKL and eventually national and global stages.”

    This milestone builds on the momentum of UPKL’s standout inaugural season, which reached over 30 million TV viewers as per BARC India and generated 300+ million digital impressions, driven largely by audiences from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

    Kanpur Warriors owner Bhumika Vora said, “Kanpur is a city full of fire, heritage, and underrepresented talent, and with Kanpur Warriors, we now have a platform to showcase, build, and grow. Through UPKL, we aim to break stereotypes, back our youth, and place kabaddi at the center of Kanpur’s sporting identity. The name ‘Warriors’ reflects not just athletic grit, but the spirit of our people. We are building a platform where kabaddi is a sport of choice, not just an alternative.”

  • Kabaddi gets a capital lift as UPKL hits Rs 238 crore in valuation

    Kabaddi gets a capital lift as UPKL hits Rs 238 crore in valuation

     MUMBAI: Mat talk turns money talk and UPKL is wrestling its way to the top of India’s sports scene. The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) has thrown down the gauntlet and picked up a valuation tag of Rs 238 crore, cementing its status as one of India’s fastest-growing sports properties. Its creator and operator, SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd, has not only built a regional league, but a nationwide movement with global potential all in its very first season.

    Launched in 2024, the debut edition of UPKL featured eight franchise-based teams, capturing hearts in small towns and big cities alike. The data tells the story: according to BARC, over 30 million television viewers tuned in across India, while digital platforms clocked 300 million impressions.

    Sony Sports Network (on Sports Ten 1 and Ten 3), DD Sports, and Fancode collectively broadcast the matches, ensuring a multi-platform footprint that reached deep into Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.

    SJ Uplift’s Founder and Director Sambhav Jain attributes the league’s soaring valuation to “the growing popularity and resonance” of the UPKL format. He added, “This valuation reaffirms our belief in grassroots sports and the immense, untapped potential of regional talent. The overwhelming response from fans, franchises and brands proves we’re building something bigger than just a league.”

    Backed by a vision to scale kabaddi into a globally recognised sport, Jain sees UPKL not just as a commercial vehicle but as a cultural movement. With plans to build a sustainable ecosystem for athletes, fans and sponsors, SJ Uplift is already eyeing expansion, new partnerships, and greater professionalisation in the seasons ahead.

    UPKL’s debut season is not just a sporting win, it’s a statement. With a Rs 238 crore valuation, deep-rooted audience traction, and a hyperlocal-to-global narrative, it’s making regional kabaddi not just prime-time entertainment, but premium IP.

    From dusty courts to digital charts the future of Indian kabaddi is looking like a full-body slam dunk.

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