Haryana Steelers launch new Kabaddi Academy in Rohtak

The Haryana Steelers Academy at Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, backed by JSW Sports, has been formally inaugurated. This state-of-the-art facility will be dedicated to nurturing the next generation

of kabaddi talent in India.

The Academy will house 30 promising athletes scouted from across India through various trials and tournaments. Aged 17-22, these aspiring athletes will undergo intensive training under the mentorship of Haryana Steelers, the professional kabaddi team of JSW Sports that was crowned Champions of PKL-11 in 2024.

This program will help talented players pursue a career in kabaddi through JSW's New Young Player program, along with athletes from each PKL team who will be groomed for professional sports. These athletes will benefit from innovative and evidence-based training methods designed to build physical and mental excellence, while also having access to upgraded training facilities, expert coaching, and modern sports science support.

The athletes will receive full scholarships covering tuition, hostel accommodation, nutrition, and advanced sports training, ensuring complete financial support. Additionally, they will have access to world-class sports science expertise and cutting-edge facilities, guaranteeing the best resources and professional coaching to train and compete at the highest level. They will also gain competitive experience through grassroots tournaments under the Haryana Steelers banner throughout the year.

The initiative marks a significant step in strengthening JSW Sports' long-term vision of investing in grassroots development and creating a sustainable pathway for young kabaddi players to progress to the professional stage.

Speaking on the launch, Divyanshu Singh, CEO of Haryana Steelers and JSW Sports, said: "Launching the Haryana Steelers Academy in our home state is a moment of great pride for us. Haryana has always been the heart of Indian kabaddi and, as the sporting hub of India, it is the ideal and strategic location for an academy that can evolve into a true centre of excellence. Our vision is to build a high-performance system that becomes the talent factory for kabaddi in India - a pipeline that consistently produces players ready to compete for PKL franchises and the national team. "

This launch also highlights the vital role of public-private partnerships in growing Indian sport, as they allow us to create sustainable pathways and provide deserving athletes access to world-class infrastructure, scientific training, and top-tier coaching. We are deeply thankful to MDU for giving us the opportunity to partner with them on this initiative. Together, we aim to build a strong, long-term ecosystem for young kabaddi talent and further cement Haryana's legacy as the true home of the sport. "

Speaking on the significance of the Academy, Manpreet Singh, Head Coach of Haryana Steelers, said "This Academy is a big step forward for kabaddi in Haryana and across India. Young players will now have access to world-class infrastructure and training at an early stage, which will help them develop into complete and well-rounded athletes. For us as coaches, it also means we can identify and mentor talent from an early age, ensuring that the next wave of players is ready to perform at the highest level. "

With this Academy now up and running, the Haryana Steelers are set to widen their impact beyond the competition by creating a strong talent pipeline that will continue to uphold Haryana's legacy as the heartland of kabaddi. The academy will provide a long-term foundation for the Steelers squad, ensuring that the team continues to receive a steady pipeline of talent for the future.