From Rustic Gems to Shining Diamonds: The Transformative Powers of the Yuva Kabaddi Series

In the heart of Tamil Nadu's Namakkal district, 11-year-old Dhanasekar, in awe of the skill of a village senior, took to the sport of kabaddi on a whim.

A decade later, in the recently concluded auctions for season 11 of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), that little boy, now 23 years old, was picked up by U Mumba for INR. 9.40 lacs.

As a kid, Dhanasekar was merely playing the sport that he seemingly enjoyed. But little did he know that his passion would one day transform his life and that of his family consisting of a father who earned a living as a driver and a mother, who worked as a daily wage labourer.

But none of this would have transpired had there not been an intervention of a certain developmental tournament.

Fueling dreams

In the Yuva Kabaddi Series (YKS), Dhanasekar played a pivotal role in leading his team Palani Tuskers to victory in the YKS Winter 2023 edition. In the same final, he cleaned up 3 defenders using his unique escape skills and secured 5 points for his team. Having grabbed eyeballs with his amazing ‘jump escapes’, he is now all set to star in the PKL.

And Dhanasekar’s career isn’t the only one that has now seen an upward trajectory, Arjun Rathee and Nithin Dhankar are also reaping similar rewards.

Hailing from Uttarakhand in Himachal Pradesh, Arjun Rathee spent five seasons in the YKS with three different teams - Tadoba Tigers, Chola Veerans, and Himalayan Tahrs.

After amassing over 500 raid points and emerging as one of just three YKS raiders to do so, Rathee was lapped up by Bengal Warriorz and became the most expensive D-category player.

Needless to say, these YKS players are picked on pure merit and their capabilities.

“Nitin’s raiding combination has been a hit for us in the last edition as well. And we have picked Arjun Rathee. We are confident that our new recruit Arjun will do well too,” said Praveen Yadav, the Assistant Coach of Bengal Warriorz.

What worked for both Nithin and Arjun was the fact that YKS provided consistent opportunities for them to shine while constantly nurturing their talent through continuous training and competition.

Impact and Reach

The Yuva Kabaddi Series has become a beacon of hope and opportunity for aspiring Kabaddi players across India. In just two years, YKS has conducted over 1,130 matches all year round, involving nearly 2,500 players from 23 state federations. This remarkable platform has not only showcased exceptional talent but has also paved the way for numerous players to progress to higher levels of competition.

The impact of YKS is evident in the growing number of its alumni making their mark in the Pro Kabaddi League. In Season 11, a staggering 65% of the New Young Players (NYPs) signed were from YKS, highlighting the tournament's effectiveness in preparing players for the professional stage. Beyond the PKL, YKS players have also excelled in national and international tournaments, representing India with pride and distinction.

Stories like that of Akash Shinde, who has the best ‘raid strike rate’ in YKS history (109.64%) and the record for most raid points in a single match (49), make for stellar amplification of not just the player’s capabilities but also the tournament’s quality.

Additionally, YKS players have shone in national and international tournaments, including the Junior World Kabaddi Championship where India clinched the top spot undoubtedly, YKS players made up 67% of the squad there as well, with 8 out of 12 players coming from YKS backgrounds and during the 70th Senior National Kabaddi Championship, a stellar 88 number of players took part in the senior nationals which serves as a gateway to the Indian team, much like BCCI picking players from Ranji.

Moreover, YKS has nurtured a thriving community of not only players but also coaches, officials, clubs, and academies, providing them with a platform to enhance their skills and contribute to the sport's growth.

YKS fostered a community of 140 coaches and 312 officials, providing them with a platform to enhance their skills and contribute to the sport's growth.

Notably, 7 out of 38 officials in PKL Season 10 were YKS alumni, and Rakhi Kumari was one of them. She secured an on-camera officiating role in her debut PKL season, showcasing the significant opportunities YKS creates!

This comprehensive approach underscores Yuva’s commitment to building a robust and sustainable future for Kabaddi in India.

Addressing Challenges, Creating Opportunities

One of the pressing challenges facing Indian Kabaddi has been the scarcity of top-tier Cover Defenders. In the world of kabaddi, only few players like Surjeet, Sunil Kumar & Parvesh had prolonged careers. Teams are always on the lookout for cover defenders & lack to build a good defensive team. This crucial position demands a unique blend of agility, anticipation, and tactical awareness, making it a challenging role to master.

YKS has recognized this gap and actively seeks to nurture and develop young talent in this specialised area.

The tournament's year-round format has already unearthed promising Cover Defenders like Gokulakannan, Mukilan, and Akshay Rathee, who have progressed to the Pro Kabaddi League.

In fact, YKS has provided a platform for over 300 young Cover Defenders to hone their skills, a remarkable number considering the limited pool in the PKL.

Emerging stars like Kapil Gurjar and Ajay Muthaiya further highlight YKS' commitment to cultivating the future of this position. Through continuous talent discovery and development, YKS is ensuring a robust pipeline of skilled Cover Defenders ready to fortify teams with their brilliance.

A stellar scouting platform

Gangaram, born to Tanuram in Devasarai, Rajasthan, always wanted to play for the Indian National Team and the PKL. After competing at several levels and having won medals including the Khelo India Youth Games, Junior National, School National, Silver Khelo India, Bronze SGFI U19, Silver SGFI U14, and Gold SGFI U16, his time had come to perform at the Yuva Kabaddi Series.

The most complete all-rounder in the history of YKS having a total of 250+ raid points & 100 tackle points, he has also won the YKS Monsoon Edition 2023 with Aravalli Arrows! Gangaram has finally fulfilled his dream after being signed as NYP by the UP Yoddhas in this season of the PKL.

While PKL goes for 75 days, tournaments finish in one to four days, here comes YKS bridging the gap and preparing the players to see their dreams by providing them with an all-year-round platform like YKS.

Yuva Kabaddi Series attempts to solve this issue. The approach that they took was to create stories and narratives for players throughout the year.

Additionally, Yuva’s commitment to data-driven narratives amplifies each player's journey and in due course, inspires countless others.

Beyond the Mat: Holistic Development

Also, beyond the competitive arena, the YKS fosters a vibrant community, uniting players, coaches, and fans in a shared passion for kabaddi. This collaborative environment encourages learning, mentorship, and mutual support, strengthening the bonds within the Kabaddi fraternity.

The Yuva Kabaddi Series' commitment to player development extends beyond the physical aspects of the game. Recognising the importance of mental well-being, YKS provides sports psychologists throughout each tournament, offering group and individual sessions to support athlete’s mental fitness and resilience. Additionally, the Self Shiksha Program, a partnership with Dr. Kushal Shah, empowers players with Data Science education, opening doors to diverse career opportunities beyond Kabaddi.

YKS also prioritises player health and safety, providing annual health insurance coverage and championing a Safe & Clean Sport campaign to ensure a fair and ethical playing environment. Furthermore, the Green Earth Initiative demonstrates YKS' commitment to environmental sustainability, planting trees for every match played and fostering a sense of responsibility towards the planet.

The Yuva Kabaddi Series truly transcends its role as a tournament, emerging as a movement that shapes the future of Kabaddi in India - just ask Dhanasekar, Arjun, and Akash.