High quality on display at Imphal trials

The Future Kabaddi Heroes (FKH) programme, a landmark initiative running in its second year now to scout local talent across India, travelled to North-east India for the first time and received a great response with several aspirants participating at the two-day trials. The expert panel, led by Ashan Kumar, Coach, Team India, 1998 Asian Games and Manpreet Singh, Coach, Gujarat Fortunegiants, VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season V, had some tough decisions to make as Kabaddi enthusiasts from all over Manipur, Assam and neighbouring states showcased their skills in their bid to make it through to the VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season VI 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.

Commenting on the talent witnessed on ground, Manpreet Singh, Coach,Gujarat Fortunegiants, VIVO Prokabaddi Season V said, ““This is the first time that the programme travelled to North East India to scout Kabaddi talent. Imphal was included this year in the selection centres to better reach high quality players from this part of the country, known for its sporting culture. We were delighted by the response received here and the talent and level of competition we saw, met our every expectation.”

Initiated last year as a pathway to the auction pool in VIVO Pro Kabaddi Season 5, the Future Kabaddi Heroes 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 Season V 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 VI under the ‘New Young Players’ category. The camp follows an approach developed in consultation with renowned coaches and experts from the field of Kabaddi.