A little boy used to watch older kids play Kabaddi in his free time in a small village called Budain, Haryana. No one in their wildest dreams could have ever thought that this mischievous kid, Narender by name, would shine bright like a star someday in the sport of Kabaddi.
Narender will be ready to enter his third season with Tamil Thalaivas in the Pro Kabaddi League. The much-awaited Pro Kabaddi League will be initiated against the Telugu Titans on October 19.
A Classy Memory
“Even now, in the village, everybody who used to play with me used to call me by my nickname, Nanha,” Narender remembered in a recent interview ahead of the PKL’s 11th season. “I wasn’t much of a height as a kid; that’s why the name stuck. Now I am of a decent height, but the name still remains.”.
Narender’s journey into the world of Kabaddi almost feels like a scene from one of those inspiring sports movies. “I came to these Kabaddi grounds as a child drawn to the playground of older boys. What started as a form of play with elder players turned deep passion. I was just a spectator with few friends initially, but Kabaddi eventually gave me a family,” he shared.
Finds a Mentor
It was this dedicated nature that caught the eye of kabaddi coach in local khandu Sandeep Kandola, who shortly took the kid as his protégé. “A small boy used to come and watch seniors practicing kabaddi with a lot of dedication. Seeing his enthusiasm, I encouraged him to play every day,” said Kandola, recalling.
Narender says that his family and his coach have played a key role in his career. “My family and coach have been instrumental in my growth as a Kabaddi player,” he said.
“My coach, who had a government job, was also a Kabaddi player. He has upheld the tradition of the sport in our village and still trains younger kids today!”
The Rise to Fame
Where his talent sprouted, so did his dreams. But the journey to stardom wasn’t without its challenges. ” Earlier, no one recognized Kabaddi players wherever I went.
That was the time when everything changed for him. “Now, because of the PKL, everyone knows who I am. The league has done a lot of good for Kabaddi players in many ways: not only increasing their financial status but also making them more visible. It has brought a change to the lives of all Kabaddi players,” he added, crediting the promoters of the league, Mashal Sports.
A Turning Point
Narender’s breakthrough happened in PKL Season 9 when he joined Tamil Thalaivas. Share a memorable moment when Narender did something that made you feel proud: CEO Shushen Vashishth shared a pivotal moment: “I remember we were in Chennai after a loss. Narender was disappointed with his performance, saying, ‘I couldn’t move my legs.'”
This setback became a turning point. Vashishth explained, “Our analyst identified a minor issue with his body movement, which Narender worked on. After rectifying it, he practiced diligently, and from then on, it was like Super 10 for the rest of the season!”
Overcoming Challenges
Narender’s journey, though, has been dotted with difficulties. “Just like a Kabaddi match, there are ups and downs,” he reflected. His mantra remains just as simple: “Do your work; don’t worry about the result.”
Today, Narender stands on the spot, representing Kabaddi’s increase in popularity and the prospect it brings. His tale transcends individual glory; he personifies the overall development of the sport itself.
Conclusion
As Narender shared his inspiring journey, he concluded with heartfelt emotion: “It was a very proud moment to represent the country. The more we succeed, the better it is for all of us.” His journey reminds me of the transformative power sports can have and the dedication it requires.
