It is said that athletes, not coaches, are the ones that compete for prizes in sports. That is accurate for every game, yet a coach plays a larger role in a select few sports. Kabaddi is on the chosen list of players where the head coach may have a significant effect on the outcome of the match.
Since the coaches are situated just behind the players, we can easily record the full action with our own eyes due to its close proximity. Because of the nature of the game, a defender's misdirection or a raider's movement fault can be exploited to score points. Coaches with expertise can accurately call these subtleties, greatly benefiting their team.
Pro Kabaddi League has witnessed coaches providing players with game-winning plans in the closing minutes on many occasions. Few managers have developed a large number of players to unleash them in the major leagues. All 12 clubs in the forthcoming PKL season (PKL 11) will have these coaches. Let's examine those who are strategising the triumph of their squads.
Ramesh B.C – Puneri Paltan
In Kabaddi circles, the coach of the reigning champions is a familiar face. As he did with Pune the previous season, he guided the Bengal Warriors to victory in season seven. His approach to teaching is very different since he emphasises developing players' sense of brotherhood and teamwork. The administration did a good job of fostering team camaraderie by arranging activities like a BBQ night by the pool in Bangalore or a trip to the seaside town of Mahabalipuram during the Chennai leg of the competition. They will try to replicate the core of the team in order to effectively defend their title.
Sanjeev Kumar Baliyan – Jaipur Pink Panthers
In the Pro Kabaddi League, Sanjeev Kumar Baliyan is one of the coaches that is most in demand. His accomplishments speak for themselves; in his first season as head coach, he guided the Patna Pirates and Jaipur Pink Panthers to championships. Once more, he will serve as the first winners' mentor. Experienced in the game, the former captain of India thinks that a coach's ability to establish a connection with his players is essential to success. He has reached new heights in his collaboration with Arjun Deshwal, and the two will try to win a third championship for the Panthers.
Joginder Narwal – Dabang Delhi KC
Joginder Narwal took over as coach to help Daband Delhi KC win the championship again, having captained the team to a triumph in season eight. After spending three years with the team, the left-corner defender is well-versed in the sport and the organisation. After giving up his mat spot, he was named the team's assistant coach the previous season and was then promoted to head coach. He is well-known for being in close contact with his players, which makes him a valuable asset to Dabang Delhi in their pursuit of a second PKL championship.
Ram Mehar Singh – Gujarat Giants
Over the last three decades, Ram Mehar Singh has established himself in the Kabaddi scene, first as a player and then as a coach. He is renowned for his capacity to inspire people, as seen by the way he motivated Rakesh Sungroya to give it his all. In the previous season, he guided the Gujarat Giants to the playoffs and helped the Patna Pirates win a hat-trick of PKL championships. The house is divided over his policy of cutting a large number of players ahead of this season. The supporters will have to wait till he puts his ideas into action, though, given his wealth of expertise, which includes leading the Indian squad as head coach.
Manpreet Singh – Haryana Steelers
Everyone in the PKL will be a fan of coach Manpreet Singh, even though they may have a favourite player. After leading the Patna Pirates to victory in the Premier League during his third season as captain, he decided to become a coach the following year and led the Gujarat Giants to two straight finals. He left Gujarat and became the Haryana Steelers' manager in season nine. He lost the final in season 10 and found himself on the losing side again. The Punjabi coach, who is well-known for revealing his emotions, would likely like to break the final curse by performing a bhangra dance on the day of the finals.
Narender Redhu – Patna Pirates
Narendra Redhu will remain the head coach of the Patna Pirates for the 2018 Pro Kabaddi League season. He was chosen by the three-time winners previous season, and he led them to the semifinals until Puneri Paltans emerged victorious. Given his poor performance in PKL, there were some questions when he was appointed last year. In Season Six, I was the assistant coach for the Haryana Steelers, a club that finished last. But because of his involvement with Army teams in All India A-Grade competitions, he was able to provide invaluable insights regarding homegrown potential, which enabled the Pirates to go from 10th to the final four.
Prashant Surve – Bengal Warriorz
One of the new coaches leading the club in the next season is Prasant Surve. After working as an assistant coach for the previous two seasons, his elevation will support the players' development. With the purchases of Maninder Singh, Fazel Atrachali, Nitesh Kumar, and Mayur Kadam, he appears to have added a significant tick to his auction record. Surve wants to make sure that the Warriorz's on-paper team is ready to go all the way, and that the team's performances translate to the mat.
Randhir Singh Sehrawat – Bengaluru Bulls
The only coach to spend 11 years connected to a single team is Randhir Singh Sehrawat. Although many have moved teams in search of greater possibilities, his passion and commitment to the game have kept him with the Bulls since the team's founding. Stars such as Pawan Sehrawat and Rakesh Kumar have been discovered by him. With a youthful team this season, he guided the Bengaluru Bulls to a championship in season six, and they want to duplicate the performance of 2018.
Udaya Kumar J – Tamil Thalaivas
Udaya Kumar is back leading the Tamil Thalaivas as their head coach. He had previously been a member of the team, but he was forced to go in the middle of season nine. Ashan Kumar took his position and led the squad to their first-ever playoff appearance. However, the Kabaddi birthplace team has once more chosen the former Indian coach who won three gold medals for his country at the Asian Games. Dharmaraj Cheralathan, a local icon, will serve as Thalaivas' strategy coach as well. Recently, the guy from Tamilnadu guided Indian Railways to the senior nationals finals. In an effort to assist the squad win that elusive championship, he will try to use his expertise.
Gholamreza Mazandarani – U Mumba
In the history of the PKL, Gholamreza Mazandarani is the first and only foreign coach. He played in the PKL for the first time with U Mumba in season six, leading them to the semifinals. He came back after a few seasons to lead the squad, but their outcomes haven't been favourable. However, the winners of the second season desired to assemble a squad, and the Iranian is a great match for that plan having developed several young players into excellent players. From Amirmohammad Zafardanesh to Fazel Atrachali, the list appears to be growing yearly. He is well-known for pushing players to be fit, and he will be attempting to revive U Mumba's heyday.
Jasveer Singh – UP Yoddhas
Since the UP Yoddhas' entry into the league, Jasveer Singh has served as their coach. The UP-based coach, who joined the club after leaving the army, is well-known for his coaching abilities. The Chief of Army Staff awarded him for his outstanding job. Upon taking over the Nashik squad, he began his coaching career and discovered players such as Monu Goyat, Nitesh Kumar, Narender, Jaideep, and Mahender. Under his leadership, the Yoddhas have qualified for the postseason in each of the first five seasons, missing out on it the last time around. To compete for the crown, he has assembled a new squad.
Krishna Kumar Hooda – Telugu Titans
Krishna Kumar Hooda was hired by Telugu Titans a few days after season 10 ended. It was a desperate move by the Titans, who had placed last for three straight seasons. The squad needed an experienced coach to take over, and Krishna Kumar Hooda, the recipient of the Dronacharya award, was the best. In seasons 7 and 8, Hooda led Dabang Delhi to consecutive finals and a championship. Players like Vijay Malik and Naveen Kumar have grown under his tutelage. Hooda, incidentally, purchased the latter at auction. He intends to turn the Titans' fortunes around.
