Global Indian Pravasi Kabaddi League (GI-PKL): A Groundbreaking Debut in Mixed-Gender Kabaddi with Global Viewership Surge
The Global Indian Pravasi Kabaddi League (GI-PKL) wrapped up its inaugural season in April 2025, featuring 12 mixed-gender teams and international fanfare. Read how GI-PKL is redefining kabaddi for a global audience.
NewsSutra
In April 2025, the Global Indian Pravasi Kabaddi League (GI‑PKL) concluded its inaugural season, drawing widespread attention for being one of the most inclusive, innovative, and internationally followed kabaddi tournaments to date. With 12 mixed-gender teams, a unique global format, and digital viewership from over 30 countries, the GI‑PKL has boldly redefined the sport’s identity in the modern age.
What sets this league apart is not only its format but its mission—to celebrate the global Indian diaspora while promoting gender equity in sports. As the final whistle blew in Dubai, where the last match of the season was held, kabaddi found itself not just revitalized, but reborn on the world stage.
The Vision Behind GI-PKL: Diaspora, Diversity, and Development
Conceived by a consortium of sports entrepreneurs, retired kabaddi legends, and NRIs across the US, UAE, UK, and Southeast Asia, the GI‑PKL aimed to fill a crucial gap. While kabaddi has enjoyed success domestically through leagues like the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), it had yet to reach its full potential among Indian communities abroad.
The founders of GI‑PKL envisioned a league that would:
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Unite Indian-origin athletes across the world
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Promote gender equality in a traditionally male-dominated sport
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Offer international-level production and training standards
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Create a cross-border fan culture powered by streaming and digital content
With the support of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Indian diaspora councils, and several global NGOs working on sports development, GI‑PKL became the first truly global kabaddi league with both women and men competing on the same court, in the same teams, under a standardized set of modified rules.
Format and Teams: A Revolutionary Approach
The 12 franchises in GI‑PKL were not named after Indian states but rather represented regions with strong Indian diaspora populations, such as:
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Dubai Dhamakas
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Toronto Titans
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London Lions
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California Chargers
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Singapore Slayers
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Sydney Stallions
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Cape Town Cyclones
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Delhi Diplomats
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Mumbai Mariners
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Doha Dynamos
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Kuala Lumpur Kings
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Birmingham Braves
Each team had a roster of 14 players, with at least 6 women and 6 men, and 1 player each from a non-Indian nationality, fostering true global diversity.
The rules were slightly adapted to suit the mixed-gender nature of the game. For example:
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Teams could only have a maximum of 3 men or 3 women on the mat at any time.
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Super raids executed by female players scored double points.
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Tackle techniques were adjusted to reduce physical imbalance.
The competition unfolded across six international cities, with legs held in Mumbai, Dubai, London, Toronto, Kuala Lumpur, and Doha, drawing large crowds and even larger online audiences.
Fan Response and Global Viewership
Despite being its first season, GI‑PKL recorded over 52 million unique viewers across platforms, according to data shared by Hotstar Global, Sony LIV, and YouTube India. Livestreams were also broadcast through regional TV partners in the Middle East, Europe, and North America.
Some of the standout statistics include:
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3.2 million peak concurrent viewers during the final match between Dubai Dhamakas and Toronto Titans.
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Over 1.1 million unique viewers from the UK alone.
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More than 400,000 social media mentions using hashtags like #GIPKL and #KabaddiGoesGlobal.
The introduction of behind-the-scenes content, team documentaries, and live fan Q&As contributed significantly to building emotional engagement with viewers, many of whom were new to kabaddi as a sport.
Players Who Stood Out
The GI‑PKL gave a platform to several rising stars and veterans alike. Some of the breakout performers included:
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Neha Bhardwaj (California Chargers): Known for her lightning-fast raids, Neha was named Most Valuable Player of the season, with over 122 raid points.
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Aakash Malik (Dubai Dhamakas): A former junior kabaddi prodigy from Haryana now living in Abu Dhabi, Aakash’s strategic tackles were crucial in his team’s championship win.
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Fatima Al-Sayeed (Doha Dynamos): The first Qatari woman to play professional kabaddi, her participation drew major attention in Gulf media outlets.
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Karan Mehta (Toronto Titans): A dual citizen and university-level kabaddi player, Karan was a consistent performer and one of the league’s most-followed personalities on Instagram.
The Final Match: A Nail-Biting Finish in Dubai
The season finale, held at the Al Wasl Sports Complex in Dubai, was a fitting conclusion to a groundbreaking season. With over 9,000 fans in attendance, the final clash between Dubai Dhamakas and Toronto Titans went down to the wire.
After three tight quarters, the score was tied at 41-41. In the final minutes, Dubai’s Neha Khan executed a stunning bonus raid that tipped the scales, leading to a final score of 45-42. Confetti cannons, synchronized light shows, and a trophy presentation attended by Indian Minister of Sports Anurag Thakur added to the celebration.
Media, Sponsorship, and Commercial Success
The GI‑PKL's commercial success was underpinned by support from major sponsors such as:
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Air India
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Tata Neu
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JioFiber
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Emirates Airlines
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Nike (official apparel partner)
Media coverage spanned across Times Now, BBC Sport, The Hindu, and even sports specialty platforms like ESPN Kabaddi Corner. Influencers and content creators from the UK, Canada, and the UAE added to the buzz by producing match reactions, travel vlogs with teams, and player interviews.
Challenges Faced and Lessons Learned
While GI‑PKL was a commercial and sporting success, organizers acknowledged some challenges:
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Logistical delays in Kuala Lumpur due to extreme weather
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Pushback from conservative fan segments over mixed-gender play
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Initial confusion around new rules, which has prompted a review for Season 2
Despite these, the league’s leadership has confirmed that Season 2 is already in planning, with expected expansions to South Africa, Germany, and Mauritius—all countries with notable Indian diaspora communities.
The Future: GI-PKL Season 2 and Beyond
Looking ahead, the GI‑PKL plans to:
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Launch a youth kabaddi academy program in collaboration with the ICCR and local Indian embassies
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Expand the team base to 16 franchises
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Introduce a GI-PKL Women's Development League in 2026
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Partner with OTT platforms for docu-series content
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Create a fan token and rewards ecosystem using blockchain-based platforms
The league’s ultimate ambition is to have kabaddi recognized on the Olympic roadmap, and GI‑PKL is already in discussions with the International Kabaddi Federation and Olympic Council of Asia to lobby for kabaddi's inclusion in future international games.
Conclusion: A Game Reimagined for the World
The Global Indian Pravasi Kabaddi League is more than just a sports league—it’s a movement. It’s a reimagining of a centuries-old Indian sport in a way that fits the values, diversity, and digital habits of modern audiences. With its inclusive format, international scope, and impressive execution, GI‑PKL has set a new gold standard for how traditional Indian sports can thrive on a global stage.
As fans await Season 2, one thing is clear: kabaddi is no longer confined by borders, gender, or outdated formats. It’s now a truly global sport.
