Pro Kabaddi League and Indian Super League (football) were inspired by the Indian Premier League as the phenomenal success of the cash rich T20 league revolutionised the face of Indian sports and encouraged other leagues to emulate its success.
The latest addition is the Pro Wrestling League, which was launched at a glittering event on Monday. Pro Sportify, a business sports company, along with the Wrestling Federation of India, announced about the league that will take shape between November 8 and 29 across six cities.
On the lines of the IPL, the wrestling league will consist of six city-based teams, which will include six male and five female grapplers. Each of these teams will possess six Indian and five foreign wrestlers. After the teams are finalised by 7 September, the auctions for the players will get underway on 15 September.
Participating teams will bid for their favourite players, hence Indian players such as Sushil Kumar, Yogeshwar Dutt and Geeta Phogat, among others, are expected to go for huge money.
The advent of the Pro Wrestling League will give wrestling fans in India a chance to see some of the best wrestlers in the world under one roof. With top wrestlers around the globe already having agreed to the league, wrestling in India can once again gain prominence.
"Around 20 top wrestlers of the world have already signed up for the league, which includes eight world champions. September 1 is the deadline to take on board all wrestlers before the auction take place on September 15," PTI quoted Kartikey Sharma, Director, Pro Sportify.
One of India's best wrestlers, Sushil Kumar, who has won two Olympic medals in the sport, feels the league is sure to benefit Indian wrestlers.
"Pro Wrestling League is going to be very good for the Indian wrestlers as we would get a lot of exposure while competing and playing alongside top grapplers of the world. We always talk about getting exposure and through this event we would get it sitting in our own country," said Sushil.
With the Pro Wrestling League slated to be held prior to the 2016 Olympics, Indian wrestlers will have a great chance to hone their skills and display them during the competition and compete against the best in the sport. Olympic medallists and world champions are also expected to be a part of the inaugural event.
"The fact that we would be able to fight some of the best in the world before the Rio Olympics next year, will be an added bonus for us," added Sushil.
