The Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) is set to make its historic debut on Australian soil with the much-anticipated PKL Melbourne Raid, taking place at the John Cain Arena on December 28, 2024. This landmark exhibition match promises to deliver thrilling Kabaddi action, showcasing elite players and bridging the cultural divide between India and Australia.
Kabaddi, which is the second most popular sport in India after cricket, is known for its fast-paced, high-intensity gameplay and the challenge of raiding opponents' territories. The sport features two teams of seven players each, competing over 40 minutes to score points by tagging opponents during short, 30-second raids.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan expressed her excitement at the announcement, stating, "Walking across the road from the Boxing Day Test to the first ever Australian Pro Kabaddi match – you can’t get anybetter than this." Joining her at the launch were Tourism and Sport Minister Steve Dimopoulos, Indian Consul General Dr. Sushil Kumar, and former AFL stars Campbell Brown and Josh Kennedy, who will both be involved in the event. Campbell Brown will coach the Australian side, featuring notable AFL players who will swap codes for this unique sporting spectacle.
The Melbourne Raid will kick off with an exciting curtain-raiser game, where Australian athletes will take on seasoned Indian players before the main event: the PKL All Stars game, featuring two top-tier teams packed with Kabaddi superstars. The matches starting at 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM respectively, invite fans to witness competitive Kabaddi like never before.
The event is also significant for its potential to attract the large Indian community residing in Victoria, which is home to approximately 260,000 Indian-born residents. With India being the leading nation for visitation and expenditure from Australia, Premier Allan is hopeful this match will deepen cultural ties through sport.
Ticket pricing is set to encourage family attendance, with children’s tickets starting from $10 and adult tickets from $55, available through Ticketmaster. The significant accessibility of the event reflects the growing commitment from local authorities to promote Kabaddi and welcome sporting diversity.
Among the stellar lineup of players are Kabaddi legends such as Ajay Thakur, Pardeep Narwal, Anup Kumar, and Rakesh Kumar, all poised to showcase their extraordinary skills. Anupam Goswami, the League Commissioner, expressed enthusiasm about the event, saying, "We are thrilled to be invited by Visit Victoria for this PKL demonstration... bringing together legends as well as current stars. This is a great opportunity to showcase the capabilities of our League, as well as the energy of Kabaddi as truly world-class sport."
Expectations are high for the PKL Melbourne Raid, as the event not only marks the introduction of Kabaddi to Australian audiences but signifies the global expansion of the sport. It sets the stage for future engagements and elevates the standing of Kabaddi as one of the world's most exhilarating contact sports.
Fans can also look forward to watching the matches live, with broadcasting available via Star Sports in India and Channel 7 in Australia—ensuring the action reaches viewers from across the globe. It’s shaping up to be not just another match but part of Kabaddi's larger narrative of growth beyond its traditional borders.
Overall, the PKL Melbourne Raid is more than just a game; it's heralding the entry of Kabaddi onto the global stage, united by the passion of players and fans alike. This thrilling event underlines the powerful connection sports have to culture, promoting mutual appreciation and enjoyment.
