<p>Bengaluru Bulls, the city’s franchise for the much anticipated Pro Kabbadi league starting on July 26, was launched here on Wednseday in the presence of a clutch of former national and state stars.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Bengaluru Bulls, owned by Kosmic Global Media, are to clash with Delhi Dynamos in their first match.<br /><br />“Kabaddi arguably is the most participated sport in the country. Bangalore being a great city for sporting culture makes us proud owners of Bengaluru Bulls,” said Uday Sinh Wala, CEO, Kosmik Global Media and owner of Bengaluru Bulls. <br /><br />Arjuna Award winner Randhir Singh will be the coach of the team while Manjeet Chillar will be captain. Manjeet, who is an experienced all-rounder, boasts of gold medals in the Asian Indoor Games and Asian Games.<br /><br /> Former international BC Suresh is the team manager.<br />Former national and state kabaddi champions Gopalappa, BC Ramesh, BC Suresh, Tyagraj and AK Munivenkatappa were felicitated in the event. <br /><br />Ketut Ariana (Indonesia), Sinotharan Kanesharajah (Sri Lanka) and Micheal Dubery (United Kingdom) are the three foreign players in the 12-member team. <br /><br />“All teams look equally strong and we will face stiff competition. I am happy with our training and the players are showing great confidence,” said Randhir. <br /><br /> An initiative of Mashal Sports, the Pro Kabaddi league’s Bangalore matches will be from August 24, with the Bulls playing their home matches on August 24, 25, 26 and 27 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.<br /><br /> Bengal Warriors, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Telugu Titans, Patna Pirates, U Mumba, Delhi Dynamos, Puneri Paltan are the other teams competing in the league. Starting in Mumbai, the matches will be held in Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, Patna, Vizag Pune and Bangalore. <br /><br />“The league is an excellent platform for state and national players to become role models,” said Charu Sharma, Managing Director, Mashal Sports.<br /><br /> “The league should not be compared to any other leagues that has already emerged and flourished in this country. We firmly believe that kabaddi will generate its own fan base and will grow gradually to hold its position firmly in the long run,” he said. <br /><br />Sunil Hanumanthappa is the only local player in the franchise. Hailing from Tumkur, Sunil aims to represent India and looks at the league as a great opportunity to make a big impression. “The experience has been great so far and I have enjoyed training with players from other states. Our team is well balanced and I am sure we will reach the final,” said Sunil. <br /><br />The league will finish on August 31, with the final in Bangalore.<br /> <br /><br />Bengaluru Bulls (team): Manjeet Chillar (Captain), Ajay Thakur, Dharmaraj Cheralathan, Gurpreet Singh, Ketut Ariana, Kiran Parmar, Micheal Dubery, Rajesh Mandal, Sarun Das, Sunil Hanumanthappa and Vilam Singh; Coach: Randhir Singh.</p>
<p>Bengaluru Bulls, the city’s franchise for the much anticipated Pro Kabbadi league starting on July 26, was launched here on Wednseday in the presence of a clutch of former national and state stars.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Bengaluru Bulls, owned by Kosmic Global Media, are to clash with Delhi Dynamos in their first match.<br /><br />“Kabaddi arguably is the most participated sport in the country. Bangalore being a great city for sporting culture makes us proud owners of Bengaluru Bulls,” said Uday Sinh Wala, CEO, Kosmik Global Media and owner of Bengaluru Bulls. <br /><br />Arjuna Award winner Randhir Singh will be the coach of the team while Manjeet Chillar will be captain. Manjeet, who is an experienced all-rounder, boasts of gold medals in the Asian Indoor Games and Asian Games.<br /><br /> Former international BC Suresh is the team manager.<br />Former national and state kabaddi champions Gopalappa, BC Ramesh, BC Suresh, Tyagraj and AK Munivenkatappa were felicitated in the event. <br /><br />Ketut Ariana (Indonesia), Sinotharan Kanesharajah (Sri Lanka) and Micheal Dubery (United Kingdom) are the three foreign players in the 12-member team. <br /><br />“All teams look equally strong and we will face stiff competition. I am happy with our training and the players are showing great confidence,” said Randhir. <br /><br /> An initiative of Mashal Sports, the Pro Kabaddi league’s Bangalore matches will be from August 24, with the Bulls playing their home matches on August 24, 25, 26 and 27 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.<br /><br /> Bengal Warriors, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Telugu Titans, Patna Pirates, U Mumba, Delhi Dynamos, Puneri Paltan are the other teams competing in the league. Starting in Mumbai, the matches will be held in Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, Patna, Vizag Pune and Bangalore. <br /><br />“The league is an excellent platform for state and national players to become role models,” said Charu Sharma, Managing Director, Mashal Sports.<br /><br /> “The league should not be compared to any other leagues that has already emerged and flourished in this country. We firmly believe that kabaddi will generate its own fan base and will grow gradually to hold its position firmly in the long run,” he said. <br /><br />Sunil Hanumanthappa is the only local player in the franchise. Hailing from Tumkur, Sunil aims to represent India and looks at the league as a great opportunity to make a big impression. “The experience has been great so far and I have enjoyed training with players from other states. Our team is well balanced and I am sure we will reach the final,” said Sunil. <br /><br />The league will finish on August 31, with the final in Bangalore.<br /> <br /><br />Bengaluru Bulls (team): Manjeet Chillar (Captain), Ajay Thakur, Dharmaraj Cheralathan, Gurpreet Singh, Ketut Ariana, Kiran Parmar, Micheal Dubery, Rajesh Mandal, Sarun Das, Sunil Hanumanthappa and Vilam Singh; Coach: Randhir Singh.</p>
