The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) is expanding its footprint with the introduction of a new franchise team, the Kanpur Warriors, ahead of its highly anticipated second season in 2025. Owned and operated by BA Sports Club LLP and led by entrepreneur Bhumika Vora, the Kanpur Warriors mark a pivotal step in UPKL’s mission to cultivate and professionalize kabaddi in one of Uttar Pradesh’s most kabaddi-passionate regions.

Kanpur, long known for its vibrant sports culture and deep-rooted kabaddi heritage, is now set to become a major battleground in the state’s growing kabaddi landscape. The franchise’s entry aims to tap into the city’s abundant, yet often underrepresented, sporting talent, providing young athletes with structured pathways to showcase and hone their skills in a professional league setting.

Sambhav Jain, Director and Founder of SJ Uplift Kabaddi, the organization behind UPKL, explained the league’s vision: “UPKL was always envisioned as a launchpad for grassroots athletes, transforming kabaddi from a gully sport into a structured professional ecosystem. Following the extraordinary success of Season 1, welcoming new cities like Kanpur is not just growth; it is our evolution.” He emphasized that expanding into traditional kabaddi heartlands strengthens the league’s goal of building a tiered development ladder for athletes progressing from local leagues all the way to national and global stages.

Bhumika Vora, owner of the Kanpur Warriors, passionately described the significance of this step: “Kanpur is a city full of fire, heritage, and underrepresented talent, and with Kanpur Warriors, we now have a platform to showcase, build, and grow. Through UPKL, we aim to break stereotypes, back our youth, and place kabaddi at the center of Kanpur’s sporting identity. The name ‘Warriors’ reflects not just athletic grit, but the spirit of our people.” Her vision is to elevate kabaddi from being seen as merely an alternative sport to becoming the sport of choice that captures local pride and aspiration.

The addition of Kanpur Warriors follows a landmark debut season for UPKL, which garnered over 30 million television viewers according to BARC India and generated more than 300 million digital impressions. Much of this reach came from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, underscoring the league’s success in bringing India’s indigenous sport to mainstream audiences beyond metropolitan centers.

Kanpur Warriors plan to engage fans with a digital-first brand launch strategy, including community events and youth programs aimed at fostering a growing fan culture and encouraging grassroots participation. Experts see this local engagement as crucial to the league’s sustainability and the sport’s long-term growth in the region.

Kabaddi analyst Ravi Singh commented on the potential impact: “Kanpur Warriors joining UPKL is a strategic masterstroke. The city has always been a fertile ground for kabaddi talent but lacked a professional platform to harness it. This new team will energize local players and fans and could serve as a blueprint for expansion into other kabaddi-strong regions.”

Looking ahead, Kanpur Warriors will compete with established UPKL teams to not only win titles but also raise the profile of kabaddi as a vehicle for youth empowerment and regional pride. The franchise’s success hinges on nurturing talent, building fan loyalty, and contributing to the broader ecosystem of Indian kabaddi.

In summary, the introduction of Kanpur Warriors into the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League is a landmark development for kabaddi’s growth in Northern India. It reflects a deliberate effort to professionalize and popularize the sport in regional hubs through community-driven engagement and athlete development. The next steps involve the team’s operational launch, player recruitment, and a full competitive season that promises to deepen kabaddi’s cultural and sporting impact across Uttar Pradesh.