Puneri Paltan’s maiden Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) title in Season 10 is a resounding testament to the value of academy systems in a franchise-based league. It wasn’t just a victory; it was an obliteration of the competition. Puneri clinched the championship with an unprecedented dominance, accumulating more points and victories than any team in history, while boasting the league’s most impenetrable defense. This success was orchestrated by a homegrown core, with six out of seven starting players hailing from the team’s Yuva Paltan academy. This victory solidified the triumph of the process that has been nurturing talent season after season, regardless of the outcome.
Following their historic victory on March 1, 2023, Puneri coach B.C. Ramesh attributed the team’s success to their unwavering commitment to youth development. He specifically acknowledged the contributions of Ashok Shinde, the team’s mentor, for meticulously cultivating young players at Yuva Paltan. In the fiercely competitive world of franchise sports leagues, talented academy players are considered invaluable assets. The PKL is no exception, where top players are auctioned off each year.
Yuva Paltan serves as a feeder team for Puneri, acting as a launchpad for promising talent. Shinde, an Arjuna awardee and a prominent figure in Indian kabaddi, spearheaded and implemented the academy system for the Pune-based team. His vision for a sustainable team, minimizing reliance on auctions, stemmed from his years of experience coaching the Air India Kabaddi team, where he honed his skills in nurturing young players.
Beyond their championship victory, Puneri Paltan revolutionized the way kabaddi was played. Their ultra-aggressive style blurred the lines between attackers and defenders. Shinde, drawing inspiration from the concept of ‘total football,’ aimed to create a dynamic system where the team constantly had seven players on the mat. This ensured that if a raider was out, another raider could revive them, or defenders could step in. He envisioned his players proactively seeking points, regardless of their role on the field.
Yuva Paltan was established in 2017 as a residential program where players lived together and competed in over 15 local tournaments throughout the year. This intensive training fostered an exceptional level of chemistry on the PKL mats. The team’s coach, Ramesh, acknowledged the impact of the academy, highlighting that almost the entire squad, excluding one player, had been trained by Shinde at Yuva Paltan. This shared experience contributed significantly to their distinct playing style.
The academy’s player scouting process is methodical, but it also involves relentless effort and experimentation. Shinde emphasizes that skills are paramount, and they prioritize players with at least three key skills, such as back holds, ankle holds, or chain tackles. While fitness is important, it can be developed later, but inherent skills are crucial. Raw talents are handpicked from tournaments, primarily in rural areas, and they undergo a year of training before being considered for the NYP category in their second season. This ensures they are adequately prepared for the PKL stage.
Shinde’s coaching career, including his tenure with Air India, has produced numerous players who have gone on to represent India at the highest level. Yuva Paltan continues this legacy. Players like Aslam Inamdar, Gaurav Khatri, Mohit Goyat, and Pankaj Mohite are on the cusp of joining the national team. Aslam, Puneri’s captain and MVP, attributes his success to Shinde’s unwavering support and mentorship.
Shinde, drawing inspiration from Sir Alex Ferguson, emphasizes educating young players about the sport, instilling discipline, and teaching them how to protect themselves on the mat. He recognizes the potential for career-threatening injuries in a contact sport like kabaddi, stressing the importance of proper training and education. He firmly believes there are no shortcuts to success in the PKL.
The championship win held deep significance for Shinde, as it represented the culmination of his years of dedicated work. He witnessed the fruits of his labor and his commitment to youth development. He sees his role as providing Puneri Paltan with a constant stream of talented young players, ensuring their future success.
Puneri Paltan retained a strong core of eight players from their title-winning squad, giving them a significant edge going into the Season 11 auction. However, the defending champions face a strategic challenge due to PKL’s retention rules. They cannot hold onto all of these players for too long, as players can only be retained in the New Young Players category for one season before moving to the Elite Player category. Furthermore, teams are limited to retaining only three Elite Players.
Despite these limitations, Shinde’s relentless pursuit of identifying and nurturing young talent continues. Just two months after winning the title, he initiated a training camp to ensure a steady flow of talent for the first team. With four Yuva Paltan graduates set to feature in Puneri Paltan’s PKL 11 campaign, the team’s commitment to youth development is unwavering, as they aim to defend their championship title.
