HIPSA President Kanthi D Suresh Promises a New Era for Kabaddi with GI-PKL's Inclusive Vision
Click to start listening
Gurugram, Dec 23 (NationPress) The president of the Holistic International Pravasi Sports Association (HIPSA), Kanthi D Suresh, is enthusiastic about the idea that men and women competing together in the upcoming Global Indian Pravasi Kabaddi League (GI-PKL) will promote women empowerment.
As the inaugural season of the Global Pravasi Kabaddi League (GPKL) approaches, organizers have revealed the unification of the league with the Indian Premier Kabaddi League (IPKL), resulting in the formation of the Global Indian Pravasi Kabaddi League (GI-PKL), where both male and female players will compete on the same mat size and under the same league identity.
The HIPSA president regards GI-PKL as a groundbreaking initiative, being the first Kabaddi league to feature men and women on the same mat size under a singular league framework. GI-PKL aims to uphold the vision of Pravasi Sports, ensuring representation of players from various nations in both the men's and women's teams.
"This strategic decision strengthens the initiative by combining men and women under a unified banner, with a shared vision," Kanthi D Suresh remarked in a statement.
"Not only does this contribute to our broader objectives, but it also sends a powerful message of women empowerment as they compete alongside their male peers, something unprecedented in the sport. This is an exhilarating concept, and we are eager to bring it to fruition soon," she added.
Sohan Tusir, the Director of IPKL, noted that the potential for franchise owners to manage both men's and women's teams enhances the league's appeal, as he has garnered substantial interest in this prospect. There are also indications that certain celebrities may be interested in owning dual teams within GI-PKL.
HIPSA's previous endeavors highlight its dedication to the global advancement of Kabaddi. In 2023, GPKL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Haryana government to promote women’s kabaddi on a global scale.
Earlier, HIPSA entered a decade-long MOU with the World Kabaddi Body based in the United Kingdom to broaden the sport's reach across continents. These efforts align with the ambitious aim of incorporating Kabaddi into the Olympics by fulfilling requirements such as participation in at least 75 countries for men and 45 for women across four continents.
Karthik Dammu, the lead actor from the acclaimed film Fouja, who also serves as AVP for GPKL, stated, "The championship trophy for GI-PKL will be an exciting surprise, as the method of determining the champion—alongside separate winners for men and women—will be a novel approach. I can't disclose too much now, but what I can share is that the GI-PKL Championship winner could be either a men's or a women's team, regardless of the respective team victories."
GI-PKL will commence with 12 teams, comprising 6 men's and 6 women's teams, with a total of 66 matches scheduled for the inaugural season, spanning nearly a month. There is significant enthusiasm within the Kabaddi community regarding this innovative concept, with many eager to participate.
The current state of Indian Kabaddi administration remains complex, as the national federation faces suspension from its international affiliate and has been derecognized by the Sports Ministry. While the dispute is ongoing in the judicial system, the anticipated introduction of a new sports governance bill offers a hopeful outlook for streamlining sports administration in India.
The proposed sports regulatory body, as outlined in the bill, is set to address all existing disputes and ensure that the sports administration aligns with the International Olympic Committee's standards as well as the respective international federations governing the sport globally.
