This article was originally published in myKhel.com
Bengaluru, March 2: The organisers of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) are exploring the possibility of launching a professional franchise-based women's tournament in the country.
The plan to launch a women's version of PKL comes after BCCI launched a full fledged women's version of the Indian Premier League (IPL) earlier this year in the form of Women's Premier League (WPL).
After tasting a great success in the men's tournament, the PKL organisers want to follow in the footsteps of cricket's Women's Premier League, which is set to make its debut on March 4 in Mumbai.
Mashal Sports, the organisers of PKL which is now in its 10th year, said they are planning to launch the league in collaboration with the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India and the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF).
"Our plans for a professional women's kabaddi league are based on the success we have seen in the men's league and our commitment to grow kabaddi as a modern world-class sport from India," CEO of Mashal Sports and PKL Commissioner Anupam Goswami said in a statement.
"We will be working with our various stakeholders, including the AKFI and the International Kabaddi Federation to launch the women's league."
A test tournament, Women's Kabaddi Challenge, involving three teams - Firebirds, IceDivas and StormQueens - had already been organised in 2016.
Former India captain V Tejeswini Bai, who led the country to its last Asian Games gold medal in 2014 Incheon, said a big dream will be fulfilled if the women's league takes shape.
"Ever since the launch of Pro Kabaddi League in 2014, women kabaddi players in India have aspired for a professional kabaddi league of their own," Tejeswini, who captained StormQueens, said.
"Now, a women's version of PKL will be a big dream-come-true for every woman kabaddi athlete in India, and also for women kabaddi athletes from other countries," added the Arjuna Awardee.
The views of India's leading women kabaddi players were backed by India's leading male kabaddi players as well, particularly those who are recognized by millions of PKL fans as leading players of the men's league.
"Pro Kabaddi has transformed the lives and image of men kabaddi athletes across all of India. I know if Mashal Sports does a women's league, it will do the same for women kabaddi athletes," said Ajay Thakur, former India captain who has also been awarded the Arjuna Award and the Padma Shri.
Thakur's views were echoed by the top raider of the country Pardeep Narwal, the iconic highest point-scoring raider from Pro Kabaddi.
"The quality and popularity of Pro Kabaddi League has enabled us to acquire pride and respect as kabaddi players. I know that a women's PKL will guarantee the same recognition and reward for our women athletes".
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