Super Kabaddi League (SKL) is a professional-level kabaddi league in Pakistan. Its inaugural season was played from May 1 to 10, 2018 in Lahore. This league follows a city-based franchise model.[3] More than a 100 Kabaddi players from Pakistan and abroad were presented in the players' draft, which took place on 23 April 2018 in Lahore. International players from Sri Lanka, Iran, Bangladesh and Malaysia participated in the inaugural edition.[4]
 | |
| Country |  Pakistan |
|---|---|
| Administrator | Strawberry Sports Management Pakistan Kabaddi Federation[1] |
| First tournament | 2018 |
| Tournament format | Multistage with Group games, followed by Eliminators and Playoffs[2] |
| Number of teams | 10 |
| Current champions | Gujrat Warriors |
| Most successful | Gujrat Warriors |
| Most raid points | Nasir Ali (68 points) |
| TV partner(s) | PTV Sports |
Draft
editDrafting of the inaugural season took place on 23 April 2018, with each of the ten franchises given an opportunity to pick a roster of 10 players, which included 2 Platinum, 7 Gold and 1 Foreign player pick.[5]
Opening ceremony
editThe formal opening ceremony of the league took place on 1 May 2018 at Alhamra Cultural Complex in Lahore. Film actress-cum-director/producer Reema Khan was the host of the opening ceremony. Singers Nabeel Shaukat Ali and Sara Raza Khan performed during the ceremony.[6]
This was the first time that a sports related event of such a scale had been organised in the country.[7][8][9][10]
The event was open for all to attend. It was attended by people from all walks of life as well team owners, officials of the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation and many others. The ceremony included several performances, which included Bakhshi Brothers, who also sang one of the songs for Season 1.
Teams and locations
edit
Broadcast
editSKL was broadcast live on television. The broadcast partner was PTV Sports. In addition to the live telecast, the matches were shown on repeat the following day as well.[11]
Final
editGujrat Warriors won the inaugural Super Kabaddi League after defeating Faisalabad Sherdils in the final game by 38-26. Gujrat Warriors' Tehseen Ullah was declared the Man of the Final.[12] Faisalabad's captain Nasir Ali was declared the Player of the League. The winning team received a Rs. 1 million cash prize while the runners-up were given Rs. 500,000.[13]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Lakhani, Faizan (15 April 2018). "Pakistan to host Super Kabaddi League in May". Geo.tv.
- ^ "Matches Schedule". SuperKabaddiLeague.com.
- ^ "Gujrat third team to sign MoU for 1st Super Kabaddi League". The Nation. 5 April 2017.
- ^ Safi, Alam Zeb (23 January 2018). "Super Kabaddi League to have players from around the world". The News.
- ^ "Super Kabaddi League 2018 Players Draft & Live Updates". 23 April 2018.
- ^ "10-team Pak Super Kabaddi League begins today". The News. 2 May 2018.
- ^ "Pakistan's Super Kabaddi League from May 1". The News. 17 April 2018.
- ^ "Pakistan to host Super Kabaddi League in May". The Nation. 16 April 2018.
- ^ "Indian players likely to feature in Pakistan's Super Kabaddi League". Pakistan Today. APP. 16 April 2018.
- ^ "Pakistan to host Super Kabaddi League in May". Geo News.
- ^ "Telenor Brings Pakistan's First-Ever Super Kabaddi League (SKL)". ProPakistani. 25 April 2018.
- ^ "Gujrat Warriors win first Super Kabaddi League". Samaa TV.
- ^ "Gujrat Warriors win Super Kabaddi League". Dawn.