Anup Kumar: ‘PKL has given us recognition and identity’

Anup Kumar of U Mumba in action during a PKL game against Bengal Warriors in 2017. Image: PTI

Over the years, Anup Kumar has gone onto become a household name in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Having spent his PKL playing days with U Mumba and Jaipur Pink Panthers, Anup has gone onto clinch 527 raid points from 91 matches. And most recently, he was the coach of Puneri Paltan, helping the team reach the playoffs in the eighth season.

On 26 July, PKL celebrated its ninth anniversary, and as the league enters its tenth season, Anup Kumar reminisced the years gone by, and expressed that the league has given the kabaddi players an identity.

“Many people have money, but it’s not only about money. A player’s identity is made through his performance and nature. And PKL has given us an identity. Today, we are recognised when we walk in public places.  Being recognized by people has been the biggest change in my life,” he said.

Anup also spoke about the pressure the players felt ahead of the inaugural season in 2014, “We were under pressure to perform well since we needed to ensure that PKL continues for a long time. We were worried that PKL could close down if we were not able to perform well in Season 1. Therefore, the players and the coaches worked very hard to make the opening season a big hit.”

The Pro Kabaddi League is all set to take its first step towards the grand tenth season through the Player Auction in September. As the excitement for the PKL Season 10 Player Auction builds in the air, the former PKL star said, “Pawan Sehrawat was the only player to cross the INR 2 crore mark last season. I hope that players, who have been performing well, are picked up for high amounts. I hope that the top 20-25 players attract big bids so that they can strengthen their financial valuation even more.”

When asked about his favourite moment from his own PKL journey, Anup Kumar said, “Lifting the trophy in the second season with U Mumba is the best moment of my PKL journey. It gave me even more happiness than what I felt when I won the MVP award in Season 1.”

The Pro Kabaddi League Season 10 Player Auction will be held from 8-9 September, 2023 in Mumbai. The dates for the tenth season of PKL will be announced soon.