Professional wrestling league set for November debut

The much-anticipated Indian Wrestling League (IWL) is likely to debut in November this year with organisers set to announce six city-based franchises for the three-week long professional league later this month.

"The IWL will be held in mid-November. We have corporate houses and sponsors on board and a formal announcement about the league would be made soon," said IWL commissioner and chairman G S Mander.

"November suits us as the World Championships are over and all big players would be available. We can hold our national championships before that."

IWL, a tournament on the lines of cricket's Indian Premier League (IPL), was announced after impressive showing by Indian grapplers at the 2012 Olympics and was initially scheduled for January-February, 2013 but was later postponed to November.

With rising profile of Indian wrestlers at the international arena, the organisers wanted to hold the event on a bigger magnitude and with greater prize money.

The organisers have now partnered with Sporty Solutionz, who had successfully organised the Indian Badminton League (IBL) last year, to launch this venture.

"Our earlier promoter wasn't very experienced. Our aim is to organise a great sporting spectacle and Sporty Solutionz has the experience behind them to do that. Prize money for the tournament will be Rs 25 crore and wrestlers will also get handsome match fees," the former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief said.