Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 3: Iranian kabaddi stalwart and Bengal Warriorz defender Fazel Atrachali has credited the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) for transforming his life and giving global recognition to players like him.

Speaking on the sidelines of the WAVES summit, Fazel said, “Pro Kabaddi has totally changed my life. It’s a dream for all kabaddi players now even for me to play alongside professionals. In fact, PKL is more professional than the Asian Games or the World Cup.”

Fazel, the only foreign player among the top 10 all-time tackle-point scorers, has crossed the 500-mark and remains one of the league’s most decorated defenders. He is also the highest-paid foreign player in PKL and captains his franchise.

Highlighting the league’s impact, Fazel shared, “In the Asian Championship, maybe five teams are strong. But in Pro Kabaddi, every team is tough. Playing here pushes you to grow.”

The Iranian ace, who has twice won the Defender of the Tournament award, said PKL brought not just fame but financial stability. “Thanks to Pro Kabaddi, we’ve become stars. We’ve earned money, and that’s completely changed our lives.”

Fazel revealed that players from across the world including China, Poland, and England now approach him regularly, seeking guidance to enter the PKL.

“Earlier only India and Iran had proper leagues. Now countries like Bangladesh, China, and Japan are starting their own tournaments. They’re trying to follow the PKL model,” he noted.

Calling this the beginning of a new era for the sport, Fazel added, “Kabaddi is expanding fast. More players are training hard just to make it to PKL. It’s a great sign for the future, and I believe it’ll only get better from here.”