New Delhi, 22 January (H.S.): SJ Uplift Kabaddi founder Sambhav Jain described the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League's (UPKL) second season as overwhelmingly positive and surpassing all expectations during an exclusive interview on Thursday.

Jain highlighted marked improvements in match intensity, competitiveness, and quality, featuring thrilling comebacks, nail-biting contests, and high-scoring encounters that reflect the league's growing maturity. Season 2 marked a significant scale-up with expansion to 12 teams, introducing four new franchises—Aligarh Tigers, Kanpur Warriors, Poorvanchal Panthers, and Gajab Ghaziabad—fostering fresh rivalries, broader regional representation, and deeper competition.

The season gained prominence through actor Tusshar Kapoor's involvement as franchise co-owner, World Cup winner Anu Sen's participation, former Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma's visit, and International Kabaddi Federation Director Tejaswi Singh Gahlot's presence at the finals, underscoring UPKL's rising relevance across sporting, cultural, and institutional spheres.

Jain acknowledged logistical hurdles, tight schedules, player fitness and safety during the extended season, and maintaining competitive balance with new teams. These were addressed through meticulous planning, strong franchise coordination, advanced operational systems, and focused player welfare initiatives, yielding valuable lessons for future editions.

Jain praised the defining feature: nearly every team demonstrated remarkable resilience, tactical adaptability, and the ability to challenge stronger opponents, with post-loss comebacks showcasing grit and confidence that kept the league balanced and exhilarating.

Kashi Kings clinched the UPKL Season 2 title on January 10, defeating defending champions Lucknow Lions 38-32 in the final at Noida Indoor Stadium.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar