Anup Kumar says KCL fed seven players into India’s Asian Games gold squad

Former India captain and coach Anup Kumar said the Kabaddi Champions League (KCL) is transforming Indian kabaddi by creating professional opportunities for players and strengthening the talent pipeline. His evidence: seven players from the KCL ecosystem were part of India’s gold-winning squad at the Asian Games in Japan.

The comments, carried by news agency ANI from New Delhi on Sunday, 25 October, came through a league press release issued while KCL-connected players are competing in the ongoing Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship. Kumar, who coached the Indian team at the Asian Games, has been appointed head coach of Kurukshetra Knights for KCL Season 2.

Kumar points to Asian Games gold as proof of the domestic route

Kumar framed the national team’s success as a sign of what a domestic franchise league can produce.

“KCL is changing the ecosystem of Indian kabaddi by providing players with a competitive platform to showcase their talent and progress in their careers. The presence of seven players from the KCL ecosystem in India’s Asian Games gold-winning squad, along with KCL-connected players featuring in the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship, reflects the opportunities that a strong domestic structure can create,” Anup Kumar said.

The release did not name the seven players or say which franchises they are linked to, and it did not state how many KCL-connected players are involved at the Commonwealth event. Kumar’s argument rests on the overall numbers rather than individual cases: a league that gives players a competitive platform, in his words, helps them progress in their careers.

For a league preparing for only its second season, the Asian Games connection is the central claim it is making about its value to the sport.

The Asian Games coach now has a KCL dugout of his own

Kumar’s own stake in the league has grown. He was named head coach of Kurukshetra Knights for Season 2, with the league’s player auction having concluded on 17 October 2026. The release said his experience as a former India captain and coach is expected to bring tactical expertise and leadership to the franchise as it prepares for the upcoming season.

That also means Kumar is speaking as a KCL insider. His remarks were issued through a league press release rather than offered as an independent assessment, and they should be read in that light: the coach who guided India at the Asian Games is now part of the competition he is praising.

KCL pitches itself as a bridge to international kabaddi

According to the release, KCL aims to provide a professional platform for both emerging and established players, expand competitive opportunities and strengthen the pathway between domestic franchise leagues and international kabaddi.

It said the participation of KCL-connected players in major competitions highlights the importance of a strong domestic ecosystem in supporting athlete development and creating opportunities for players to reach the international stage.

The league described experienced coaches, competitive franchises and emerging talent as the core of its framework, and said it is seeking to contribute to the continued growth and professionalisation of Indian kabaddi.

The release did not give a start date for Season 2. Kurukshetra Knights continue their preparations under Kumar, while KCL-connected players remain in action at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship.