World Kabaddi League

The Global Kabaddi League, formerly World Kabaddi League, was a professional circle-style kabaddi league with teams from various countries.

History

First season: 2014

The league's first season was in 2014 in which 8 international teams played in 14 cities in 4 different countries. Three of the teams had celebrity owners. The regular season was four months long, and was followed by an elimination tournament that took place in Mohali, Punjab, India, in which the top four teams determined a champion. Khalsa Warriors beat United Singhs to win the inaugural season.

Venues

The venues of the World Kabaddi League spanned four countries.

City

Country

Venue

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Abbotsford

Canada

Television broadcasters

Sony SIX has signed on to broadcast the league in India. PTC Punjabi has signed on to broadcast the league around the world.

Nation/Territory

Broadcaster

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India

Second season: 2016

The second season of the league was held in 2016, but had numerous budgetary problems. It featured 6 teams:

California Eagles
Khalsa Warriors
Milwaukee Wolves
Punjab Tigers
Royal Kings USA
United Singhs

California Eagles beat Royal Kings USA to win the final. The 2017 season was indefinitely postponed.

Third season: 2018

After a reorganization, the league rebranded itself as the Global Kabaddi League and launched the new version in 2018. The only team to return for the third season was the California Eagles. The teams in this season were:

Black Panthers
Delhi Tigers
California Eagles
Haryana Lions
Maple Leaf Canada
Singh Warriors Punjab

This version of the league lasted until the final match on November 3, 2018. California Eagles defeated Haryana Lions to win the season. The games were broadcast by PTC Punjabi's channels.

Playing technique

Two teams of seven players face each other in a circle and take turns sending a "raider" into the other team. To win a point, the raider must take a breath, run into the opposing half, tag one member of the opposite team, then return to his home. The raider will have only 30 seconds to touch the opponents and come back to his home. The game is played with 20-minute halves and a five-minute half-time break during which teams exchange sides.