Lucknow: After the successful entry of Kanpur Warriors, the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) has officially announced its second new franchise — the Aligarh Tigers. Owned by Sumit Sarraf, Managing Director of Shekhar Sarraf Memorial Hospital, the team is expected to bring a fresh competitive edge to the league, along with a strong pool of local kabaddi talent.
Conceptualized and managed by SJ Uplift Kabaddi, the UPKL has evolved from a state-level initiative into a rapidly growing league now gaining national attention. The league has opened new doors for athletes by providing them with a professional platform, helping kabaddi emerge as a mainstream sport across India.
The addition of Aligarh Tigers further strengthens UPKL’s mission — to promote kabaddi in every corner of Uttar Pradesh and provide local athletes with structured opportunities to rise to the professional level. Backed by Aligarh’s rich sporting culture and a new generation of disciplined, quick-thinking players, the Tigers aim to carry forward the league’s vision of connecting kabaddi deeply with communities and grassroots development.
Speaking on the franchise’s inclusion, Sambhav Jain, Founder and Director of SJ Uplift Kabaddi, said, “Season 1 of UPKL achieved phenomenal success, proving that kabaddi now stands shoulder to shoulder with mainstream sports. We created UPKL to polish raw talent and give athletes a clear pathway from the local level to professional competition. With Kanpur and now Aligarh joining, our ecosystem is expanding — we are discovering new players and building kabaddi into a sport of choice for the next generation.”
Sumit Sarraf, owner of Aligarh Tigers and Managing Director of Shekhar Sarraf Memorial Hospital, said, “UPKL has set a new benchmark for a niche sport, giving kabaddi unprecedented visibility and professional recognition. This inspired me to become part of the initiative. Aligarh has immense untapped talent, and through Aligarh Tigers, we aim to channel that energy into a sport that symbolizes our city’s strength, discipline, and pride. For us, it’s not just about kabaddi — it’s about creating opportunities, promoting fitness, and firmly placing Aligarh on India’s sporting map.”
The addition of Aligarh Tigers builds on UPKL’s highly successful Season 1, which, according to BARC India, drew over 30 million TV viewers and more than 300 million digital impressions — making it one of the fastest-growing sports properties in India. The first season was valued at ₹238 crore, underscoring UPKL’s growing market presence and the rising popularity of regional sports leagues.
