MUMBAI: A month before the sixth season of Vivo Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) will begin on 5 October 2018, Star Sports has announced Vijay Sethupathi, the Tamil superstar and Makkal Selvan, as the face of th sport in Tamil Nadu. Sethupathi will lead the Kabaddi fans in the stadium, in Tamil Thalaivas’ colors cheering from the stands.
Announcing Sethupathi’s association with Vivo Pro Kabaddi, a Star Sports spokesperson said, “After an extremely successful season five, with record viewership numbers and inspiring stories, Vivo Pro Kabaddi has proved to be the boost kabaddi needed. With the home team Tamil Thalaivas, the affinity for kabaddi in the region has grown multifold, and today we are glad to bring on board Vijay Sethupathi as the face for VIVO Pro Kabaddi in Tamil Nadu. We are happy to have Vijay partner with us in the region to build a deeper affinity for the sport in Tamil Nadu. Fans can tune-in to Star Sports 1 Tamil for 3 months of action packed kabaddi extravaganza in their own language."
The franchise has planned a year-round initiative to spread local love for the sport across the state. Corporate Kabaddi fest was one of the initiatives which were held last month in Chennai.
Ecstatic with his new role, Sethupathi said, “I am very happy to be a part of the Vivo Pro Kabaddi family for the tournament in Tamil Nadu. Kabaddi has a rich history in Tamil Nadu and I am glad that our own sport has now reached such astounding heights. It gives me immense happiness to be a part of a sport deeply entrenched in all of us. I will be at the stadium for the opening leg, cheering for the Thalaivas. IdhuNammaAatam.”
The Thalaivas led by their verstaile captain Ajay Thakur, will take the mat on 5 October in their dazzling new colors of blue and yellow. The new jersey design also marries the rich traditional legacy of Tamil Nadu with the new age hub the state is today.
The Tamil Thalaivas will renew their Deccan Rivalry with Telugu Titans in the season opener on 5 October. That game will be followed by games against Patna Pirates (6 October), U.P. Yoddha (7 October), Telugu Titans again (9 October), Bengaluru Bulls (10 October) and Bengal Warriors (11 October) on last day of the Chennai leg of the league.
