Sports
JBC Kabaddi League launches in Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh
Inaugural season in first half of 2026 features five teams; Randhir Singh Sehrawat named brand ambassador.
MUMBAI: Kabaddi is raiding new territory because when three states team up, the mat just got a whole lot bigger. The Kabaddi Association of Jharkhand, Bihar State Kabaddi Association, and Chhattisgarh Kabaddi Association, all affiliated with the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) have greenlit the JBC Kabaddi League (Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh Kabaddi League). Set to debut in the first half of 2026, the inaugural season will pit five teams against each other in a structured league format designed to spotlight emerging talent.
Promoted by sports entrepreneur Rannvijay Singh also director of the Bhojpuri Industry Premier League (BIPL) and owner of the Awadh Ramdoots franchise in the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League, the JBC Kabaddi League promises organised scouting, player auctions, and pro-level exposure. The goal? Turn grassroots raiders into household names, boost fan engagement, stir regional pride, and spark investment in local kabaddi infrastructure.
Rannvijay Singh said, “State and local leagues are key growth pathways. Jharkhand, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh share a deep connection with kabaddi, played widely in schools and community spaces. The JBC Kabaddi League builds on this legacy by creating a structured platform that connects grassroots talent to the professional ecosystem. With the strong support of the state Kabaddi Associations, we are confident in our vision to make kabaddi mainstream and a viable career choice.”
To anchor the grassroots push, the league has roped in Randhir Singh Sehrawat affectionately called “Coach Saab” as brand ambassador. With over four decades in Indian kabaddi as both player and national-level coach, Sehrawat boasts an Arjuna Award (1997), the National Citizen Award (1991 he was the first kabaddi player to receive it), and 93 medals from major events including Senior Nationals, Federation Cups, and All India Railway Championships.
For a sport already massive in rural heartlands, this cross-state league could be the bridge that carries raw talent from village akharas to bigger stages proving once again that in kabaddi, one good raid can change the game for an entire generation.
Sports
Pluckk partners Pickleball Maharashtra Open 2026 as freshness partner
Event from 1 to 3 May in Mumbai to feature clean-label food and experience zone.
MUMBAI: Game, set, snack because even the fastest rallies need a fresh refill. Pluckk, a fresh food-focused digital brand, has been named the Official Freshness Partner for the Pickleball Maharashtra Open 2026, set to take place from 1 to 3 May at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai. Organised by the Maharashtra Pickleball Association, the tournament brings together a growing community around one of India’s fastest-rising sports.
As part of the partnership, Pluckk will introduce an on-ground ‘Experience Zone’, offering athletes and attendees access to quick, clean and functional food options throughout the three-day event. The spread will include 100 per cent natural tender coconut water, cold-pressed juices and plant-based protein bars, all positioned as no-added-sugar, no-preservative alternatives.
The collaboration reflects a broader shift in sports culture, where nutrition is becoming as central as performance. Pickleball’s rapid rise from a niche pastime to a fitness-driven community sport has created space for brands to plug into lifestyle narratives beyond the game itself.
For Pluckk, the association is as much about visibility as it is about positioning. By embedding itself within an active sports ecosystem, the brand is pitching fresh, clean eating as a seamless extension of movement, recovery and everyday wellness.
With the Maharashtra Pickleball Association aiming to expand the sport’s reach and engagement, the addition of nutrition-led experiences adds another layer to the event’s appeal. And for players and spectators alike, the message is clear: staying energised on court now comes with a side of clean convenience.
