The third season of the Pro Kabaddi League was off to a tumultuous start at the Port indoor stadium here on Saturday.
The stadium was almost full 45 minutes before the start of the first match and the inaugural ceremony. Chief Minister N. Chandababu Naidu was present.
Aamir Khan and Daggubati Rana entered the area much before and were greeted by a huge applause from the crowd. Amir Khan sang the National Anthem as the CM and others stood in attention. Amir Khan who recently faced flak for his remarks on intolerance, seemed to have been pardoned by the local crowd as they cheered him.
Glitz and presence of film personalities is not new to the crowds and this time those watching the live telecast of the matches will have a look at the game from the camera fixed on umpire’s cap also and hear the cant “kabaddi” “kabaddi” and the sound of foot steps of players, through microphones fixed to the vests of a couple of players of each team.
Telugu Titans has broken even from the second season of the PKL, owner of Telugu Titans Srirama Srinivas said during an interaction with the media earlier. He felt it was the same case with other seven franchisees. “This is with the gates open for the last two seasons,” he said. The support for PKL was growing and in fact he had to turn down four of five sponsors for this season, the Telugu Titans owner revealed expressing how well the league has picked up support from all quarters.
Telugu Titans is spending part of its earnings on social causes. Three street kids were being provided all support while 24 others were helped in their education. This will continue every season.
CM slaps thigh
During the half time break, Mr Naidu spoke to the television anchors and expressed the confidence that the State would be become a power in sports also soon. He also slapped his thigh, a gesture that became popular with the IPK, and received loud cheers. Before leaving the stadium he spoke to a few spectators and one managed a selfie with him.
