The Pink City witnesses its future heroes

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 267 aspirants participating at the two-day trials held in Jaipur. The expert panel, led by Jaivir Sharma, Coach, Sports Authority of India and Sanjeev Baliyan, Arjuna Awardee had some tough decisions to make as Kabaddi enthusiasts from all over Rajasthan 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. Jaipur marks the last city for the first phase of trials of the programme.  

Commenting on the talent witnessed on ground, “Jaivir Sharma, Coach with Sports Authority of India said, “At the Future Kabaddi Heroes programme in Jaipur we witnessed some exceptionally talented Kabaddi players. The city has been promising, with a high number of participants and some exceptional talent. There were people who travelled a great distance to attend the trials and we are confident that several aspirants will make it to the next phase of the selection process.”

Tejasvi Gehlot, President, Rajasthan State Kabaddi Association said, “I believe that the Future Kabaddi Heroes programme is an ideal platform for aspiring Kabaddi players to showcase their skills. Rajasthan has given some exceptionally talented players to the world of Kabaddi in the past and this programme is the perfect platform for future players looking for an opportunity.”

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.