People idolise celebrities, says Sonu Sood

Dabang Delhi Kabaddi Club has signed actor Sonu Sood as its brand ambassador for the ongoing Pro League season, and his association with the club was unveiled at a recent event in the Capital. Talking about how his affinity to the sport has roots in his childhood, he says, “Being a Punjabi, my childhood was all about makke di roti, sarson da saag and playing kabaddi in school. It feels good to be associated with the sport again as the game is moving out of village boundaries and gaining recognition across the globe.”

Sonu will cheer and support the team from the stands for its upcoming home matches. Revealing his motivational strategies vis-a-vis the team, he shares, “When I am travelling, I record and send videos to cheer the team on so that they feel the presence of a constant source of support. And before each game, I ask them to free their minds of all distractions and focus solely on the game ahead.”

The actor also goes on to affirm that one of his primary objectives as the brand ambassador will be to promote the sport itself, at a larger level. “People idolise the celebrity and therefore it becomes the celebrity’s responsibility to promote the game and encourage people to be a part of it. Now, as women are matching footsteps with men and entering the field, I am sure the sport will become even more compelling for viewers across the board,” he explains.

Lending his full support to Delhi, Sonu takes a stroll down memory lane too, reminiscing, “When we used to play kabaddi in school, we were just a bunch of kids rolling in mud. The Pro League has glamourised the sport, making it interesting for the audience to watch. Also, the players constantly keep pushing their fitness levels higher to deliver better results on the field.”

Known for his sculpted physique, Sonu affirms that he also bonds with the team over physical training. “When I train with them, we take tips from each other and share our fitness regimes. All of us are fitness freaks!” he says and adds, “Achieving a fit and muscular body is a constant process and requires regular hard work and training. Once you have achieved it, maintain it. Even if I miss gym, I never cheat on my diet.”

Dismissing any grounds for rivalry with Abhishek Bachchan, who is supporting Jaipur Pink Panthers, he says, “Kabaddi as a sport reinforces team work and brotherhood. There is no rivalry, just healthy competition. And even though we support different teams, once we walk out of the stadium, we’re brothers!”

Talking about his upcoming movie with Jackie Chan, the actor shares, “He is a legend and I feel blessed to have gotten the opportunity to work with him. We could connect because of our mutual love for health and fitness.”