Maha Mumbai Kabaddi League from Monday

City’s maiden Maha Mumbai Kabaddi League is set to start at Vishal Sahyadri Kreedangan, Charkop, from January 15. The inception of the week-long league comes at a time when Maharashtra has won the senior national championship in Hyderabad, recently, after a gap of eleven years.

Some state players from the winning squad are expected to participate, even though the list will be confirmed on Friday. According to the organisers, the League will help explore the feasibility of a permanent annual league, at least in the initial phase. It will also afford the opportunity for the six-dozen players to have their merit assessed.

The organisers, Abhinav Kala Kreeda Academy and OH Media House, have roped in six teams for the tournament, which will be run on a round-robin league, followed by the title round to be contested by the top two finishers. The league will run for a week with 17 matches to be played. There will be a contest for the third place in the round-robin phase.

The aim of organising this tournament is an attempt to present an opportunity for the aspiring youngsters hoping to make it to the Pro-Kabaddi League, to get noticed by the people who matter.

In all, 72 players — 54 from Mumbai Metropolitan Region and 18 from the rest of Maharashtra — will make the final cut. The organisers have shortlisted 100 players, following three-day trials, attended by 1,200-odd players from Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburban, Thane and Navi Mumbai, who will be in the bidding process for the 54 places. The rest will be listed as reserves and may have an opportunity to join one of the teams if the originally selected are injured.

The teams will be able to recruit players from the pool through a bidding process.

The teams are also entitled to recruit nine players each from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, and have the option of adding three or less players from other districts of Maharashtra. The teams will be given a week prior to the league for training in an effort to forge their combination.

The organisers have sent invites to the franchises of the Pro-Kabaddi to depute their representatives/ talent scouts.

Cash prizes totalling Rs 3 lakh, with trophies, medals and merit certificates will be presented. Individual prizes like motor-bikes and other two-wheelers to the Player of the Tournament, Best Raider and Catcher are also on offer.  

Pro-Kabaddi Star Rohit Kumar and Marathi fim star Sunil Barve will be the brand ambassadors for the event.