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GPKL Season 2 Unveils Global Draft for Balanced Men's & Women's Teams

The Global Pravasi Kabaddi League (GPKL) has announced a structured player draft system for its upcoming second season. This framework is designed to build competitive teams by integrating domestic Indian talent with international athletes from across Europe, Africa, and Asia. A key feature is the requirement for each franchise to field both a men's and a women's team, promoting parallel growth. The draft process will evaluate players on technical skill and fitness before a coach-led selection to form balanced, globally integrated squads.

Key Points: GPKL Season 2 Announces Structured Player Draft for Global Kabaddi

  • Structured draft for balanced teams
  • Mandatory men's and women's squads per franchise
  • Mix of domestic and international 'Pravasi' players
  • Athletes from over 10 countries to participate
2 min read

GPKL Season 2 to feature structured player draft integrating domestic and international talent

GPKL Season 2 introduces a structured draft to integrate domestic and international talent, featuring mandatory men's and women's teams for each franchise.

"Each player... becomes a spokesperson for the sport when they return home. - Kanthi D Suresh"

Delhi, March 1

Following the recent confirmation of participation from international players across Europe, Africa and Asia, the Global Pravasi Kabaddi League on Sunday announced that Season 2 will feature a structured player draft framework aimed at building balanced and competitive teams.

According to a release, the draft system is designed to integrate domestic and international talent while ensuring inclusive participation of both male and female athletes under a unified league structure.

Each franchise in GPKL Season 2 will field two teams, one men's and one women's, reinforcing the league's commitment to the parallel growth of both formats of the sport.

Further, every team will mandatorily comprise a mix of domestic and pravasi players, reflecting the league's core philosophy of bringing together India's kabaddi strength with emerging global participation.

Building on the league's evolution from its launch season as GIPKL, the Season 2 draft framework represents the next step in shaping professionally organised squads that reflect both competitive balance and international integration.

Under this model, players emerging from structured trials will be evaluated across technical ability, fitness, tactical awareness and team adaptability before being placed into a central draft pool.

Franchise teams will then select players from this pool through a guided draft process that is expected to be coach-led and strategically aligned with team requirements.

Season 2 is expected to feature male and female athletes from multiple countries, including England, the Netherlands, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Germany, Tanzania, Kenya, Cameroon, Hong Kong and Taiwan, alongside domestic players from India's strong kabaddi regions.

Speaking about the Pravasi concept, HIPSA President Kanthi D Suresh said: "The Pravasi element is central to GPKL's vision. Each player coming from a foreign country does not just participate in the league; they become a spokesperson for the sport when they return home. This creates a natural pathway for kabaddi to grow internationally and reach newer audiences across the world."

By enabling franchises to build squads through a structured process that integrates domestic and pravasi participation, GPKL continues to position itself as a professionally governed platform aimed at popularising kabaddi globally.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Love the focus on having both men's and women's teams for each franchise. Equal platform is so important. Hope the women's matches get the same prime-time slots and promotion. More power to our female raiders and defenders!
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Arjun K
The 'Pravasi' concept is brilliant. When players from Poland or Kenya go back home, they'll take kabaddi with them. It's a smart, organic way to spread our indigenous sport. Desi games going global! 🎯
M
Michael C
As someone new to kabaddi, this league seems like a great entry point. A draft system with international players makes it more relatable. Looking forward to seeing the talent from Europe and Africa mix with the Indian stars.
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Priyanka N
Good initiative, but execution is key. I hope the "guided draft process" is truly fair and transparent. Sometimes these systems can be manipulated. The league's credibility depends on it. Fingers crossed they get it right.
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Karthik V
Including players from traditional kabaddi regions like Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra is crucial. Our domestic talent pool is deep. This league can be a great secondary platform for players outside the PKL. More opportunities are always welcome.

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