Kabaddi Champions League names head coaches for 10 Season 2 franchises

The Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) announced its head coaches for all 10 franchises on Tuesday, 13 October, ahead of its second season. The list includes Ravinder Pahal at Karnal Kings, Surender Nada at Sonipat Stars and Om Parkash Narwal at Faridabad Fighters. With the coaches confirmed, every franchise now has someone in charge of building a squad. The league has still not said when the tournament will begin.

A league press release, carried by the PTI and ANI news agencies, said the appointments were an important step in Season 2 preparations. The coaches are expected to concentrate on team building, tactical planning, player development and competitive readiness.

Ten head coaches, ten franchises

The full roster announced by the league:

• Karnal Kings: Ravinder Pahal
• Gurugram Gurus: Jagpal Singh
• Kurukshetra Knights: Anup Singh
• Sonipat Stars: Surender Nada
• Faridabad Fighters: Om Parkash Narwal
• Bhiwani Bulls: Samsher Singh
• Rohtak Royals: Jagdeep Singh
• Hisar Heroes: Vinod Kumar
• Panipat Panthers: Randeep Dalal
• Jhajjar Jaguars: Ramesh Kumar

The PTI report gave the Hisar franchise its full sponsored name, ShubhGrow Hisar Heroes. All 10 teams carry the names of Haryana towns and cities.

Discipline and fitness lead the early talk

The release included a statement from every coach. Discipline, fitness and teamwork came up again and again.

Ravinder Pahal said Karnal Kings had a real chance to put together a strong side. “It is a privilege to be associated with the Kabaddi Champions League. Karnal Kings have a strong opportunity to build a competitive team, and my focus will be on discipline, fitness and tactical execution. We want our players to perform with confidence and make our supporters proud,” he said.

Om Parkash Narwal put young players at the centre of his plans at Faridabad Fighters. “The Kabaddi Champions League provides an important platform for players to demonstrate their talent. Our objective will be to build a disciplined and fearless team, encourage young players and ensure that the squad approaches every match with the right attitude,” he said.

Jagpal Singh of Gurugram Gurus spoke about every player knowing his role. “My priority will be to develop a cohesive unit where every player understands his role. Kabaddi is a game of teamwork, quick decisions and determination, and we will work hard to bring these qualities into our performances,” he said.

Anup Singh said Kurukshetra Knights would start by finding out what their players do best. “Our focus will be on identifying the strengths of our players, improving coordination and developing a winning mindset. We aim to compete strongly and deliver an exciting brand of kabaddi,” he said.

Defence on the agenda at Sonipat and Bhiwani

Two coaches spoke directly about defensive work. Surender Nada said Sonipat Stars would “concentrate on defensive coordination, fitness and match awareness while ensuring that every player contributes to the team’s objectives.”

Samsher Singh said Bhiwani Bulls would work on “building team chemistry, strengthening our defensive and attacking combinations, and maintaining consistency throughout the competition.”

The rest of the coaches spoke in broader terms. Jagdeep Singh said Rohtak Royals’ preparations would focus on “fitness, strategy and teamwork.” Vinod Kumar said Hisar Heroes would aim for “a balanced team” and the understanding needed “to perform under pressure.” Randeep Dalal said Panipat Panthers wanted “a competitive squad with a strong work ethic, sound tactics and a team-first approach.”

Ramesh Kumar, in charge of Jhajjar Jaguars, said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to lead Jhajjar Jaguars in Season 2. We will work towards building a united and competitive team through hard work, discipline and careful preparation. Our focus will be on helping players improve and delivering strong performances throughout the season.”

No schedule yet for Season 2

The league said it wants to bring together experienced professionals and emerging players, and to help kabaddi grow at both grassroots and professional levels. With the coaches in place, franchises are expected to turn to squad development, training and tactical preparation.

The KCL has not yet announced the official match schedule or the start date for Season 2, PTI reported. Those details are the next thing to watch for.