FKH: Youngsters turn up in numbers for Mumbai leg

The Future Kabaddi Heroes (FKH) programme, a landmark initiative to foster grassroot level Kabaddi and unearth local talent in India got off to a very positive start with 273 aspirants participating in the three-day trials held in Mumbai. The players were tested on their Kabaddi skills and fitness. The expert panel, led by Jaivir Sharma, Senior Kabaddi Coach with Sport Authority of India and Srinivas Reddy, Assistant coach of Haryana Steelers had some tough decisions to make as Kabaddi enthusiasts from all over Maharashtra showcased their skills in their bid to make it through to the VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 6 auction pool

Developed by Mashal Sports Pvt Ltd., the organisers of VIVO Pro Kabaddi League and AKFI, the Future Kabaddi Heroes (FKH) programme is a comprehensive three-stage talent scouting and development initiative to foster and nurture future Kabaddi champions. Nagpur is the next destination in Maharashtra for the panel to unearth Kabaddi talent.

Commenting on the talent witnessed on ground Jaivir Sharma, Coach, Sport Authority of India said, “The Future Kabaddi Heroes programme has gotten off to the right start in Mumbai with over two hundred and fifty aspirants competing to qualify for Phase II of the programme. The exceptional talent we have witnessed over the past three days is testimony to the success that FKH programme has attained and truly representative of the journey that professional Kabaddi has travelled. There were youngsters who had travelled all the way from Pune, Sholapur, Kolhapur and other locations to showcase their skills on ground;it has been an overwhelming 3 days.”

Aswad Patil, Secretary, Maharashtra Kabaddi Association said, “This is an essential programme for youngsters and aspiring Kabaddi players to showcase their skills for a successful career in Kabaddi. We fully support AKFI and Mashal Sports on the Future Kabaddi Heroes Programme initiative. It’s an ideal opportunity for deserving and budding kabaddi players to demonstrate their potential, and eventually have the chance to be recognized and mark their presence in professional leagues.”

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.