'Matter Of Pride': Avinash Pandey, CEO ABP Network, Unveils The New Jersey Of UP Yoddha

As people wait for the PKL season 8, ABP Network now has a close association. With the eye to further popularise the game of Kabbadi, ABP has partnered with the UP Yoddha as Principal Sponsors.

New Delhi: If sports is about asserting dominance, then India would take the biggest pie in Kabbadi — seven straight Asian Games titles in an undefeated streak, three World Cup titles, and many more other accolades in the homegrown sport.

With the introduction of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), the home-bred game of Kabbadi has witnessed new heights. Soon to enter its 8th season, PKL is already making flutters in the right direction.

As people wait for the new PKL season to start, ABP Network now also has a close association. With an eye on further popularising the game of Kabbadi, ABP has partnered with the UP Yoddha PKL team as Principal Sponsors.

Unveiling the new jersey of UP Yoddha, Avinash Pandey, the CEO of ABP Network, said, "It is a matter of pride that we are promoting the sports of Kabbadi. As ABP News tagline is Aap Ko Rakhey Aagey... the new association of ABP and UP Yoddha will see the game surging ahead and also the team winning the title."

"Everyone in the country watches cricket and it takes all the major sponsorship deals. Kabbadi is a homegrown sport and is our very own. As Prime Minister has iterated to focus and uplift sports in India, ABP is doing something similar," Avinash Pandey said on being the principal sponsors for UP Yoddha.

"Just like Kababdi, ABP Network is also homegrown and is tailored for India's audience. As we came across this opportunity (to be associated with UP Yoddha), it struck a chord with us. We will take this bond ahead and make the game even more popular," he added.   

Col. Vinod Bisht, CEO of PKL team UP Yoddha, who was also present on the occasion, said it was "natural" to join hands with ABP Network.

"As we represent India's largest state, it was natural to associate with giants in the Hindi heartland, which is ABP. It was a natural bond for us to be associated with ABP News," he said.

In another update for UP Yoddha, talismanic raider Pardeep Narwal was roped in making him the "highest-ever bought kabaddi player" in the history of the Pro Kabaddi League. He was taken by UP Yoddha, during the PKL auction, for a whopping Rs 1.65 crore. Narwal now finds himself a new home after spending five seasons with the 'Patna Pirates'.