FKH: Chennai gets a glimpse of their future stars

The Future Kabaddi Heroes (FKH) programme, a landmark initiative to foster grassroot level Kabaddi and unearth local talent in India received a great response with 290 aspirants participating at the three-day trials held in Chennai. The players were tested on their Kabaddi skills and fitness. The expert panel, led by Rambir Khokhar, Coach, Haryana Steelers, Season 5 and Manpreet Singh, Coach, Gujarat Fortunegiants, Season 5 had some tough decisions to make as Kabaddi enthusiasts from all over Tamil Nadu showcased their skills in their bid to make it through to the VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 6 auction pool

Mashal Sports, the organisers of VIVO Pro Kabaddi League and AKFI jointly announced the Future Kabaddi Heroes (FKH) programme, a comprehensive three-stage talent scouting and development initiative to foster and nurture future Kabaddi champions. Coimbatore is the next destination in Tamil Nadu for the panel to unearth Kabaddi talent.

Commenting on the talent witnessed on Rambir Khokhar, Coach, Haryana Steelers, Season 5, said, “At the Future Kabaddi Heroes programme in Chennai we witnessed some exceptionally talented Kabaddi players. There were players who had participated in the programme last year and couldn’t make it, but they worked through the year on their performance and fitness and pleasantly surprised us with their game play this time. It has been an overwhelming experience shortlisting talent in Chennai and we are expecting Coimbatore to display similar talent.”

 A Saffiyullah, Honorary Secretary, Tamil Nadu Amateur Kabaddi Association said, “I believe that the Future Kabaddi Heroes programme is an ideal platform for aspiring Kabaddi players to showcase their skills. Chennai is deeply connected with the sport and a true testament of this, is the talent we have witnessed over the past three days.”

Initiated last year as a pathway to the auction pool in VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 5, the Future Kabaddi Heroes (FKH) programme scouts promising young talent from thousands of aspirants from all over the country. Last year the scouting programme received an overwhelming response from over 4600 participants. Post a rigorous three-staged selection process, 133 players finally made it to the VIVO Pro Kabaddi 2017 auction pool.

Following a rigorous shortlisting process, a total of over 200-220 players will be selected for Phase II post the 18 city trials. Out of those, exceptional 80-100 players will be chosen for Phase III for a month long intensive training camp and subsequently be drafted in the player auction pool of VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 6 under the ‘New Young Players’ category. The camp follows an approach developed in consultation with renowned coaches and experts from the field of Kabaddi.