Lokesh Ghosliya Attributes His Pro Kabaddi Success to the Yuva Kabaddi Series Format
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Synopsis
Lokesh Ghosliya shares how the Yuva Kabaddi Series played a crucial role in his journey to the Pro Kabaddi League. Despite initial family opposition, his dedication and the opportunities provided by YKS led to significant achievements in the sport.
Key Takeaways
- Lokesh Ghosliya started playing kabaddi in 2016.
- His family initially opposed his involvement in the sport.
- He debuted in the Yuva Kabaddi Series in 2022.
- Lokesh has scored 485 points in 144 matches in YKS.
- He credits YKS for his success in the Pro Kabaddi League.
Haridwar, April 4 (NationPress) Lokesh Ghosliya, hailing from Jaipur, embarked on his kabaddi journey in 2016 after witnessing his older brother compete in local tournaments. Although he engaged in the sport for a few months, his family was not supportive and actively discouraged his participation.
For approximately 6-7 months, they halted his kabaddi pursuits, compelling him to concentrate solely on his academics. Nevertheless, he returned to the game during the summer holidays.
“Watching my elder brother play kabaddi was just for fun initially. But soon, I started visiting the stadium regularly and grasped the nuances of the sport,” Lokesh recounted.
“Initially, my family did not encourage me, and after a few months of playing, they prohibited me from continuing. However, I resumed during the school summer break, and they began to support me once they witnessed my performances in district and state-level tournaments,” he continued.
The 19-year-old made his debut in the Yuva Kabaddi Series with Aravalli Arrows during the Summer Edition of 2022, amassing 81 points across 30 matches in his first season.
Lokesh was a vital member of the Aravalli Arrows for four seasons, participating in the Summer Edition 2022, Monsoon Edition 2022, Winter Edition 2022, and Monsoon Edition 2023. He also played for the Periyar Panthers in the Summer Edition 2023.
He represented Yuva Mumba in the Yuva All Stars Championship 2025, concluding the season with 68 points from 18 matches. In total, he has accumulated 485 points from 144 matches across six editions of the Yuva Kabaddi Series. His outstanding performances in YKS facilitated his entry into the Pro Kabaddi League.
“The Yuva Kabaddi Series has been pivotal in crafting my career and paving my way to the Pro Kabaddi League. Participating in the early editions of the Yuva Kabaddi Series was a fantastic opportunity that led me into the PKL,” Lokesh shared regarding the influence of YKS on his career.
The player from Jaipur lauded the format of the Yuva Kabaddi Series, attributing his success and growth to it. He emphasized the significance of match time for players to refine their skills and address their weaknesses.
“National tournaments usually consist of only 3-4 matches, while YKS offers numerous matches, providing players the opportunity to showcase their abilities and attract the interest of PKL coaches and scouts. The benefit of competing in YKS is that each team engages in multiple matches within a single edition, confronting various teams and players. This exposure allowed me to gain invaluable insights and learn from my errors. The league also facilitated my improvement in areas where I needed enhancement.”
