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Key Points

The Great Khali believes India’s 2036 Olympic dream depends on nurturing talent through grassroots tournaments. He backs his Pro Panja League team, Sher-e-Ludhiana, to win Season 2 despite an opening loss. Khali stresses early training and mental resilience as key to India’s medal success. The league’s expanded format features six teams battling for the championship.

Key Points: Great Khali Backs India 2036 Olympics Dream with Grassroots Push

  • Khali links India’s Olympic success to grassroots tournaments
  • Pro Panja League ambassador predicts Sher-e-Ludhiana’s victory
  • Emphasizes mental strength and early training for athletes
  • Six teams competing in Pro Panja League’s expanded second season
2 min read

More tournaments, more medals: 'The Great Khali' on India's 2036 Olympic dream

WWE legend The Great Khali shares his vision for India’s 2036 Olympics bid, stressing grassroots tournaments and mental strength for medal success.

More tournaments, more medals: 'The Great Khali' on India's 2036 Olympic dream
"More competitions at grassroots will grow talent and create a winning mentality for India – The Great Khali"

Gwalior, Aug 6

Former WWE wrestler and team ambassador of the Pro Panja League side Sher-e-Ludhiana, ‘The Great Khali’ believes India’s path to hosting the 2036 Olympics lies in the grassroots of the country and believes increasing the number of tournaments across sports will help develop a winning mentality for the team.

In an exclusive conversation with IANS, Khali spoke on India potentially hosting the 2036 Olympics and stated he believes his PPL team will go on to win season 2 of the tournament.

Asked how India can make a mark at the quadrennial tournament, Khali replied, “More competitions, more tournaments at the grassroots. The hard work and practice needs to begin at a young age. The high pool of talent we have will grow and prosper with more competition, increase their confidence, and make them stronger mentally. This will help India win more medals and create a winning mentality,” Khali told IANS.

Six teams including Mumbai Muscle, Jaipur Veers, Kiraak Hyderabad, Sher-e-Ludhiana,Rohtak Rowdies and MP Hathodas will vie for the coveted title as the league grows in scale, strength and inclusivity.

In the opening day’s main-card events, Mumbai Muscle defeated the MP Hathodhas while Kiraak Hyderabad edged past the Ludhiana based franchise.

Despite the opening day loss, Khali believes his team has the firepower to go on to win the second edition.

“This is just the start but I hope that my team wins. We will never lose hope, this is just the beginning, just keep on watching. You can see how strong they are, just by looking at their biceps, everyone is carrying an arsenal of 20 inches (biceps) plus. I believe Sher-e-Ludhiana will win,” he added.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
While I appreciate Khali's enthusiasm, just having big biceps doesn't win tournaments 😅 We need proper coaching, nutrition plans and sports science support. Hope PPL focuses on these aspects too!
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Arjun K
Sher-e-Ludhiana zindabad! 🦁 As a Punjabi, I'm so proud to see our state represented in PPL. Khali bhai knows what he's talking about - more competitions = more exposure = better athletes. 2036 Olympics dream looks possible if we start now!
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Nisha Z
Why only focus on wrestling? India has potential in so many sports - badminton, shooting, hockey. We need to develop all sports equally if we want to host Olympics. Still, good to see Khali promoting Indian sports culture.
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Karan T
Bhai Khali ne sahi kaha! More tournaments = More medals. But where is the funding? Our athletes still struggle for basic facilities. First fix the system, then dream of Olympics.
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Priya S
As a mother, I'd love to see more sports opportunities for girls too. Hope PPL and other leagues include women's categories soon. Our daughters need role models like Khali! 💪

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