Dec 27, 2024 10:59 PM IST
The 2-game exhibition will function three groups drawn from PKL’s finest expertise whereas the fourth aspect might be Aussie Raider, led by former AFL star Josh Kennedy
New Delhi: With a view to take kabaddi’s footprints to unchartered markets, Professional Kabaddi League (PKL) will host PKL Melbourne Raid — a two-match exhibition — in Melbourne on Saturday, a day earlier than the continued season of the league culminates in Pune with the Haryana Steelers and Patna Pirates preventing it out for the title.
PKL Melbourne Raid is league’s maiden foray Down Beneath. (PKL)
PKL Melbourne Raid will comprise of 4 groups, three of which — PKL All Star Mavericks, PKL All Star Masters and Professional Kabaddi All Stars — might be drawn from the most effective of league’s expertise, previous and current. The fourth crew might be a star-studded Australian contingent named Aussie Raiders. The primary match might be performed between Mavericks and Masters whereas All Stars and Aussie Raiders will function within the different recreation.
Whereas Australia will not be precisely identified for its kabaddi, Puneri Paltan’s assistant coach and former India stalwart Ajay Thakur believes the crew from Down Beneath does have the potential to develop right into a aspect that may be a risk to the established powerhouses.
“They may not be great at the sport technically but Aussie players are very well built and have great power. I have been observing them for some time and if they put their mind into the sport, they can reach the level of Iran, South Korea, and Pakistan,” the 38-year-old stated.
“I feel this initiative is very good for the game as it is high time the sport reaches out to unexplored territories,” he added.
In addition to Thakur, the occasion will see the likes of Pardeep Narwal, Anup Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, Maninder Singh, and Sachin Tanwar in motion. The Aussies might be led by Josh Kennedy, a former Australian guidelines footballer who performed for the West Coast Eagles within the Australian Soccer League (AFL).
“I am fairly new to this sport but traits like athleticism, power, speed and strength are certainly common in both sports. The biggest difference is how small the kabaddi mat is as opposed to a football field, but certainly, the spatial awareness and timing as well as working together on defence is really important in both sports. There are definitely a few transferable skills,” Kennedy stated.
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