The Asian Kabaddi League has announced the appointment of Vikram Vijay Chandan as President-Revenue Growth & Media (Strategic Advisor), signalling a strong push to build a commercially robust and media-driven league structure.

According to a press release, the move reflects the league’s broader vision of integrating media strength, commercial scale, and grassroots development as it prepares to establish itself in India’s evolving sports ecosystem. The appointment is being seen as a strategic step toward building a structured and future-ready platform for kabaddi, particularly in the women’s segment.

Chandan brings over two decades of experience across sports broadcasting, media strategy, and grassroots development. His career spans stints at ESPN Star Sports, where he developed insights into audience behaviour and broadcast dynamics, and Sony Pictures Networks India, where he was part of a phase that saw sports transform into a sponsorship-led commercial engine. More recently, his work with Gambig Inc has focused on improving accessibility and strengthening grassroots sports ecosystems.

The timing of this development aligns with the growing popularity of kabaddi as a mainstream sport. The success of the Pro Kabaddi League in India has demonstrated the commercial viability of the sport, with strong traction across media rights, sponsorships, and franchise models. However, the women’s segment continues to remain underdeveloped, offering a significant opportunity for expansion.

The Asian Kabaddi League is positioning itself as a women-centric platform under the narrative ‘She Rises’, with plans to feature eight teams representing different Indian states. The initiative aims to create a structured pathway for talent development, particularly from smaller towns and underserved regions where kabaddi already has deep cultural roots. Its low-cost, high-intensity format makes it well-suited for scalable growth across diverse geographies.

Beyond competition, the league is designed to function as a broader sports ecosystem, combining media strategy, commercial partnerships, and grassroots engagement. The focus will be on building visibility for women athletes, unlocking new revenue streams in women’s sports, and expanding kabaddi’s footprint as a global property led by India.

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