Mohit Chhillar backs franchise leagues after Nxt Sports buys Bhavnagar Bulls

Veteran Indian kabaddi player and expert Mohit Chhillar has backed franchise-based leagues as a way to grow kabaddi in Gujarat. His comments followed the acquisition of Bhavnagar Bulls, a franchise in the Gujarat Kabaddi League (GKL), by sports management company Nxt Sports.

Chhillar said such leagues create opportunities for emerging players and expand the sport’s reach, and described the Bhavnagar takeover as a positive step for kabaddi in the state. The remarks were reported by ANI from Bhavnagar on Wednesday, 28 October, citing a press release.

Nxt Sports takes charge at Bhavnagar Bulls

According to the press release, Nxt Sports plans to strengthen the Bhavnagar Bulls squad and explore opportunities for regional talent development. The acquisition was described as marking a new phase for the franchise.

The company’s stated aims cover several areas beyond the playing side:

• developing the franchise and strengthening its competitive prospects
• talent identification
• fan engagement
• commercial partnerships

No financial terms of the deal, squad changes or coaching appointments were reported.

Chhillar: franchise leagues open doors for players

Chhillar made the case that the franchise model is central to where the sport goes next.

“The growth of franchise-based leagues is important for the future of kabaddi because it creates more competitive opportunities for players and helps the sport reach new audiences. The acquisition of Bhavnagar Bulls by Nxt Sports is an encouraging development for Gujarat kabaddi,” Chhillar said.

He tied the franchise’s potential to how it is run, stressing structure and scouting over quick fixes.

“With a clear vision, the right team structure and a focus on identifying talent, the franchise can contribute to the development of the sport and provide aspiring players with a platform to showcase their abilities,” he added.

The emphasis on identifying talent is the thread running through both his comments and the new owners’ plans. For a regional league, the value lies less in established names and more in giving players who have not yet broken through a stage on which to be seen.

What the Gujarat Kabaddi League is built to do

The GKL is a franchise-based competition featuring teams that represent different parts of Gujarat. Its stated purpose is to promote regional representation, with the format intended to give aspiring players the chance to compete in an organised environment and gain greater visibility.

The release framed regional leagues as a way to strengthen Gujarat’s kabaddi ecosystem by connecting players, coaches, franchises and sponsors, while building local interest in the sport. It also pointed to the role such competitions can play in developing emerging athletes beyond the established professional circuit.

That is the gap Chhillar’s comments speak to. Professional opportunities in kabaddi remain limited at the top level, and state competitions organised along franchise lines offer an extra rung on the ladder: regular competitive matches, a team structure and exposure to scouts and audiences.

The release described the Bhavnagar Bulls deal as reflecting a growing focus on franchise development and regional talent promotion, with the potential to support the continued growth of kabaddi in Gujarat. Dates for the next GKL season and details of how Nxt Sports will rebuild the Bhavnagar squad were not announced.