Mumbai: During a special Media Day organized by JioStar ahead of Pro Kabaddi League Season 12, Bengaluru Bulls coach BC Ramesh, defender Ankush Rathee, and raider Akash Shinde shared their thoughts on the team’s preparations, bonding, and how PKL provides young and aspiring kabaddi players an opportunity to showcase their talent.
Speaking exclusively during the PKL Season 12 Media Day, Bengaluru Bulls raider Akash Shinde spoke about gearing up for the upcoming season:
“Our coach has been a great player and has also coached the Indian team. Whichever team he has coached, he has made them champions. His philosophy is to groom young players into champions. That’s why he has built a combination of one or two senior players along with a majority of youngsters, making it a very balanced team. Our two corners, Ankush and Yogesh, are outstanding. Practice is going really well, and he knows how to transform a player into a champion.”
Speaking exclusively during the PKL Season 12 Media Day, Bengaluru Bulls defender Ankush Rathee spoke about his experience and preparation:
“The team’s preparation is going very well. I am working with coach for the first time. I have seen many coaches before, but he explains the game better through video sessions and then makes us train accordingly. There are a lot of young players in the team this season. The team is very good, and all we aim to do is focus on our practice.”
Speaking exclusively during the PKL Season 12 Media Day, Bengaluru Bulls coach BC Ramesh spoke about the team’s strength:
“This season we have focused on our defence. Our aim is to have one of the best defensive units. We have brought India’s best defenders for the two corner positions, along with two or three strong backup players. The team is very balanced, and everyone is involved. The environment is excellent, raiders and defenders are working together, everyone is friendly, and no one is under pressure. We know the coordination and combination of the team, and I am confident we will perform well.”
BC Ramesh elaborated further on PKL as an influential platform to promote kabaddi:
“Pro Kabaddi League is a big platform for all of us. It has made the sport bigger and better. Kabaddi is the second most-watched sport in India. It has given opportunities to players from villages and farming families, turning many into household names. Earlier, kabaddi players struggled for recognition, but now people want to take photos with them. Government departments like Income Tax, Customs, and State Governments are offering jobs. The sport is uplifting not just players but entire families. Kabaddi has truly changed lives.”
On his plan to maintain the thrill of the game:
“Kabaddi is a man-to-man sport; very few games are this aggressive, apart from wrestling. It’s a thrilling sport, but to perform well, you need patience and fitness. A player with good fitness has fewer chances of injury. Nutrition and supplements are also key, since we sweat a lot in this game. Proper rest is equally important. A player who maintains all this can perform at a high level.”
