With the second season of Pro Kabaddi League less than a month away, it is no surprise that India's captain Rakesh Kumar crosses the dates on his calendar with every passing day.
"Bahut ruk liya (Have waited too long)," said Kumar, the Patna Pirates raider. "We just started our camp in Gurgaon on June 15 and all of us can't wait to come up with a much-improved performance after finishing third. Maybe the wait for the competition to start will take us all the way to glory."
Kumar struck the jackpot in last year's auction, attracting the highest bid of Rs12.80 lakh.
When Kumar, hero of three Asian Games victories (2006, 2010, 2014) and two World Cups (2004, 2007) does is not demonstrating his signature Lion Jump on the kabaddi floor, he performs his duties as chief ticket inspector with the Indian Railways.
"I've been part of the Indian side for the last 12 years and have seen the sport grow. Woh pehli waali Kabaddi jaise nahi rahi (Kabaddi isn't like what it was before). The response to the first season was unexpected. Now, we are recognised wherever we go and that gives us a lot of happiness. It's not the question of just a few months, fans and players have waited a long time and they can't wait for the league to get started. But it's important that the level of attention doesn't drop. Our performances on the field certainly won't," said the Arjuna awardee.
More than the adulation received during the tournament last year, Kumar's delight comes from the after-effects of the league. "One of the main reasons for us winning gold in Incheon (India beat Iran 27-25 in the final to retain the Asiad title) was the Pro Kabaddi League. It served as the perfect preparation. Let me give you a personal example. My village Nizampur has seen so many parents send their kids to the ground to play Kabaddi. Kabaddi is a big thing in certain regions and it's no surprise to see that the league has lead to parents realising that the sport can now be taken up as a serious career option," said Kumar, son of a farmer from Nizampur, a village on the outskirts of Delhi.
Another positive from the league has been the number of foreign players plying their trade during the tournament. "Kabaddi players abroad now want to play here. We had a Kenyan (Simon Maina Kibura) here last year and one from South Korea as well (Jang Kun Lee). This time, we have three players from Iran. They were tough opposition in Incheon and players of such calibre will only improve the level of the league. We will have a much better season than last year. Aap bas rukiye (You guys just wait)," he said.
KNOW KUMAR
DOB: April 15, 1982
India debut: 2003
Accolades
World Cup: Gold (2004, 2007)
Asian Games: Gold (2006, 2010, 2014)
Kumar received the highest bid at the auction of the inaugural season of the Pro Kabaddi League, having been bought for ?12.8 lakh by the Patna Pirates
