e first season of the PKL. At times, I wonder if I could learn how to play too, she smiled.Along with a strong TV presence, tickets are available on the venu

I get emotional when it comes to kabaddi as I used to play the sport as a child. The feeling of watching it live helps me reconnect with the days gone by, said Venu Vulesa while his son Daniel got his cheeks painted in orange and red, the colours of his favourite team, Bengaluru Bulls.This was the environment at Bangalores Sree Kanteerava Stadium as more than 3000 people gathered to watch the citys first Pro Kabaddi match of the season, played between the home team and Telugu Titans.Seven-year-old Daniel, his cheek-painting complete, looked towards his father and said, Even I like kabaddi! The love for kabaddi, Vulesa said shyly, probably ran in the family.For a sport that rarely made a splash across the country a few years ago, kabaddi has found a foothold ever since the arrival of the Pro Kabaddi League in 2014. With slickly packaged programming on prime-time TV slots and matches lasting a convenient 40-minutes each, the PKL provided the viewers an alternative for leagues like the IPL. From a largely rural and small-town following, the PKL has made its way into playgrounds, drawing rooms and city stadiums.One of the key aspects of kabaddi is that we can relate to the game. For me, it is pure nostalgia, said Avinash, a twentysometing software engineer, who was accompanied by friends Vivek, Prashant, Suhas and Prithvi for the match. Its short and crisp, apart from being full of entertainment, added Vivek.I see wildness in the game. The energy is crazy out there. You cant help but love it, said Tejaswini, a 23-year-old following the sport since the first season of the PKL. At times, I wonder if I could learn how to play too, she smiled.Along with a strong TV presence, tickets are available on the venue box office at reasonable prices, turning the league into a mini-festival to its host cities.The kind of craze the tournament has in the city is unbelievable. I came here to understand what the game is all about and why it is attracting so many people towards it, said Bharat, who came to the game with friends Sandesh and Sudarshan.Kabaddi is not that well-understood in metro cities. Even if you look at the players that we have in the teams, you will notice that a major chunk of them hail from rural (sic) cities. It then becomes important for us to know about the games that started from our roots and are now making a mark, said Sudarshan.After the PKLs success in its first two seasons, it was announced that from 2016 onwards, the league will have two seasons in a year. The response from fans is mixed: Two seasons in a year is a little too much, is what I feel. It takes away the excitement that it has built so far. One season a year would keep the demand as well as the craze high, Vivek pointed out.Contradicting him was 25-year-old Vadiraj, who said, The promotions and the execution of the plans have been pretty good. The number of seasons doesnt matter as long as it is giving the game a much-needed push. People are finally getting connected to it. Im an avid follower of the sport, and it feels good when people finally recognize the rules and the players. While buying a Bulls jersey for his son Aditya, Venugopal said, This is a game you can watch with the family. It gives us an opportunity to bond over a desi sport. Having two seasons in a year would only make the loyalty grow.Part of the PKLs marketing strategy involves merchandising - accessible and affordable - as a way of connecting with the youth. While the official team jerseys sell for Rs. 300-750, the clones, openly sold within 100m of the official merchandise store, cost Rs. 150-200. It is why team colours can be easily spotted everywhere in the crowd at matches.I would choose it over any other sport, any day, said 14-year- old Lalasa. The presence of mind that the players showcase in such a limited time, keeps you at the edge of your seats throughout. Her classmate Devraj Chandu, however, differed with her saying, Kabaddi is great, but cricket is still the best.Once the Kanteerava guards sounded a whistle, indicating the game was set to begin, the crowd milling about outside the ground, rushed inside to get to their seats in time.Inside the stadium, all the varied opinions about the league were diluted as everyone came together to chant kabaddi kabaddi along with the players. Deafening cheers after each successful raid and defense followed by the theme song of the two teams was to suddenly bring the stadium to life. Even though the home team was beaten, the crowd continued to hoot, hoping for better days.So what if we lost today? As a fan, I believe we still have it in us to win the season, smiled 15-year-old Jhanvi Ramakrishna.Amidst it all, what won over them all was the unlikely yet deserving hero -- the game itself.Tony Pollard Cowboys Jersey . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. Jay Novacek Youth Jersey . -- For the first time in two months, an opponent was standing up to Alabama. https://www.cowboyssportsgoods.com/Womens-Tony-Romo-Inverted-Jersey/ . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. Emmitt Smith Cowboys Jersey . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. DeMarcus Ware Jersey .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action.Rafa Benitez has been appointed as Newcastle manager on a three-year deal, saying he has committed to a legendary English club.Benitez, who arrived on Tyneside early on Friday afternoon, was announced just three hours after Steve McClarens sacking on Friday morning.After a brief meeting at St James Park, Benitez left for Newcastles Darsley Park training ground to meet with club staff and took his first training session with the players. It is thought Benitez will take training on both Saturday and Sunday and could be in the dugout for Newcastles Monday Night Football clash at Premier League leaders Leicester City.Sky Sports News HQ understands Benitez, who has been without a club since being sacked by Real Madrid in January, has an opt-out clause in his contract if the club is relegated.I have the pleasure to confirm I have committed to a legendary English club, said Benitez in a club statement. With the massive challenge of remaining part of the Premier League.It will be a challenge not just for me and my staff but for the players, the club and the fans. Five games which cost McClaren Newcastle sack Steve McClaren: Five games which cost him his job All of us must push together in the same direction and with the same target in mind. This is the reason why Im going to ask for your total support to successfully complete this task.Personally, it means my return to the Premier League, closer to my home and my family. I cant be happier. Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink says Rafa Benitez will bring experience to Newcastle Cmon Toon Army! The club and I need your total involvement!The former Liverpool and Chelsea boss will be joined by Fabio Pecchia, Francisco de Míguel Moreno and Antonio Gómez Pérez, who will join existing coaches Ian Cathro and Simon Smith to form Benitezs coaching team. The relegation run-in Premier League relegation battle: Newcastle, Sunderland, Norwich and Aston Villas run-ins analysed Paul Simpson, Alessandro Schoenmaker and Steve Black have all left club with immediate effect. Steve McClaren was sacked on Friday morning Managing Director Lee Charnley added: I am very pleased to welcome Rafa Benitez to the club. In Rafa we have, without doubt, secured the services of one of Europes top managers.He has managed some of the most successful teams at the very highest level of the game and we are proud to now have him as our manager.dddddddddddd. Rafas ups and downs Rafael Benitez to Newcastle? Ups and downs of the Spanish manager Our sole focus now is to give our full support to Rafa, his coaching team and the players in order to secure our status in the Premier League. Whats wrong at Newcastle? Whats going wrong at Newcastle? The problems which cost Steve McClaren I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to Paul Simpson, Alessandro Schoenmaker and Steve Black for their service to the Club.McClaren was sacked by Newcastle after just nine months at the club which saw him win just six games in 28 Premier League outings and leave the club 19th in the table, one point adrift of safety. Paul Merson says the way Newcastle United have sacked Steve McClaren is poor and disrespectful Benitez becomes Newcastles eighth permanent manager in 12 years and their second foreign coach in the Premier League following Ruud Gullits spell in charge in 1998-99.The Spaniard has won 12 trophies, including two La Liga titles with Valencia and the Champions League with Liverpool during a distinguished career. Keith Downie gets reaction from fans as Rafa Benitez takes over at NewcastleAlso See:Five games which cost McClarenMcClaren in quotesWhats wrong at Newcastle?Rafas ups and downs ' ' '