Up-close with Tamil Thalaivas, the Chennai Pro Kabaddi team

Despite being a fledgling side, Tamil Thalaivas is going all out to cement its place in the league of sports favourites like CSK and Chennaiyin FC

September 02, 2019 02:07 pm | Updated September 03, 2019 03:51 pm IST

Gotcha: Tamil Thalaivas trap Haryana Steelers raider Vikas Khandola | File

Gotcha: Tamil Thalaivas trap Haryana Steelers raider Vikas Khandola | File

Chennai’s love affair with sports has begun to extend beyond cricket in recent years. While the city’s allegiance to Chennai Super Kings and Dhoni is unrivalled, it is heartening to see people making room in their hearts for other sports. The response and attendance to Chennaiyin FC, the city’s resident football team has grown over time. Another team that is now looking to cement their place among Chennaiites is the Pro Kabaddi side Tamil Thalaivas.

The young outfit boasts of Sachin Tendulkar and Allu Arjun among its co-owners, and not many people know that Vijay Sethupathi is the brand ambassador for the team with the anthem ‘ Namma Mannu, Namma Velayattu ’!

Being a relatively fledgling side, Tamil Thalaivas, coached by E Baskaran, had a disappointing run in their first two years, as the team struggled against their more experienced opponents. However, now in their third season, the outfit seems more prepared and currently sit ninth in the league, with around six weeks to go before the play-off stage.

Their biggest draw is undoubtedly the talismanic Ajay Thakur, a stalwart of the sport for India, the captain of the National kabaddi team and recent recipient of the Arjuna Award. The hero of India’s 2016 Kabaddi World Cup triumph, his calm demeanour under pressure earned him the nickname ‘Iceman’.

In the midst of a hectic season, the captain and some key players find time to talk to MetroPlus about how the Pro Kabaddi League is a gift to the sport, how Chennai and Tamil Nadu have taken to kabaddi, and their expectations for the ongoing season.

 

Ajay Thakur, Captain and raider

 

When do you think the Kabaddi World Cup will be held again? Do you believe our country will lift the trophy for the fourth time?

I feel positive about Team India’s participation in the Kabaddi World Cup. The confidence and quality of players in the raiding and defending department that India brings is fantastic. So, yes I do believe that India will lift the trophy when it is held — soon, hopefully.

You have been conferred with the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award this year.

I feel grateful and humbled to receive these honours. I have always wanted to play for the country and make the nation proud; the awards have boosted my confidence.

What is unique about playing for Tamil Thalaivas?

I have been with Tamil Thalaivas since Season 5 and fans have bestowed me with the ‘Thalaiva’ tag — I couldn’t have asked for more! As a team, we have always looked forward to playing in our home ground because of the support and love we have got. For me, Chennai is family, and when the crowd cheers, it feels like the family of ‘Tamil Thalaivas’ is cheering for us!

What can be done to ensure more youngsters/ kids keep their interest in kabaddi alive?

Mashal Sports have started KBD Juniors, a school-level competition, and it encourages kids to take up the sport at the professional level. I feel more such tournaments should be organised at the grassroots level so that kids develop an interest for kabaddi and the growth of the sport for future generations.

 

Rahul Chaudhuri, raider

 

What has changed in this season as compared to the last?

We are concentrating on our defence and making it our strength. Every team is making their defence strong and that has been a major change, when compared to the previous seasons. This season, the number of super tackles have increased and that’s because the defence is better, and players are more aggressive.

Do you feel the team has a chance to win the trophy?

Our coach E Bhaskaran is training us on our skills and techniques and is also keeping a strict watch on our diets. We have trained hard for this season and will ensure that we have a successful season. Kabaddi is a tough sport and every team is working hard — and like every other team, we are also aiming for the trophy.

 

Mohit Chhillar, defender

 

How different is it playing in PKL as compared to playing in the World Cup for the national side?

It is always a proud moment to play for the nation and being part of the winning team was amazing. But, playing for the Pro Kabaddi League has given me the opportunity to play with experienced and younger players. It’s a learning curve for me and our coach has been a tremendous support. I am learning new skills and techniques.

The aim of PKL has been to put kabaddi on the global platform and so far there have been three World Cups. Do you think PKL is working in that direction?

Definitely. The stature of the sport has grown with PKL. Matches are competitive and players are trained to prepare for the season with the best coaches and environment.

You have travelled all over the country to play — how has the experience been?

It’s been fantastic, we share our thoughts, analysis and improvements that can be brought in our game to make it more competitive. Sharing knowledge for the growth of the sport is a mutual thought all kabaddi players globally have.

 

Breaking the glass ceiling - Sandhiya MK, Chennai’s referee at the Pro Kabaddi League

 

It’s an honour for me to be refereeing on a national platform like this. I’m a former kabaddi player myself, having played at several National events before I was injured and had to slow down. 

I later got married, and now have a son who’s a karate champion and is practising kabaddi as well. My husband is also a former kabaddi player; that’s why he encouraged me to keep in touch with the sport.

I am 29 years old, and work as a sports teacher in a school; during the Pro Kabaddi League, I officiate the games. It takes rigorous training and exercise to keep up our fitness levels during the matches, and a lot of work goes into studying the rules and techniques, in order to ensure that the match is played fairly.

Several young girls are taking up the sport with a lot of enthusiasm these days and exposure has grown multi-fold since the inception of PKL.

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