The Haryana Steelers Academy at Maharshi Dayanand University (MDU), Rohtak—backed by JSW Sports—has officially been inaugurated, marking a major step toward developing India’s next generation of kabaddi talent. Positioned as a high-performance centre, the academy aims to groom young athletes through a structured pathway into professional kabaddi.
The newly launched academy will train 30 promising athletes aged 17–22, selected through nationwide trials and tournaments. These players will train under the guidance of the Haryana Steelers, JSW Sports’ professional kabaddi team and the champions of PKL-11 in 2024. As part of JSW’s New Young Player program, the initiative offers aspiring athletes an opportunity to pursue a career in kabaddi, alongside players from PKL teams who will be groomed for elite competition.
Equipped with upgraded training facilities, sports science support, and expert coaching, the academy will adopt innovative and evidence-based training methods to strengthen both physical and mental performance. All selected athletes will receive comprehensive scholarships covering tuition, hostel accommodation, nutrition, and advanced sports training. Throughout the year, they will also gain competitive exposure by participating in grassroots tournaments under the Haryana Steelers banner.
The launch reinforces JSW Sports’ long-term commitment to grassroots development and creating sustainable career pathways for budding kabaddi players.
Speaking at the inauguration, Divyanshu Singh, CEO of Haryana Steelers and JSW Sports, said, “Launching the Haryana Steelers Academy in our home state is a moment of great pride for us. Haryana has always been the heart of Indian kabaddi and, as the sporting hub of India, it is the ideal and strategic location for an academy that can evolve into a true centre of excellence. Our vision is to build a high-performance system that becomes the talent factory for kabaddi in India – a pipeline that consistently produces players ready to compete for PKL franchises and the national team. This ambition is strengthened by the fact that nearly one-third of all PKL players in India come from Haryana, underscoring the state’s unmatched contribution to the league.”
He added, “This launch also highlights the vital role of public–private partnerships in growing Indian sport, as they allow us to create sustainable pathways and provide deserving athletes access to world-class infrastructure, scientific training, and top-tier coaching. We are deeply thankful to MDU for giving us the opportunity to partner with them on this initiative. Together, we aim to build a strong, long-term ecosystem for young kabaddi talent and further cement Haryana’s legacy as the true home of the sport.”
Highlighting the significance of early-stage training, Manpreet Singh, Head Coach of Haryana Steelers, said, “This Academy is a big step forward for kabaddi in Haryana and across India. Young players will now have access to world-class infrastructure and training at an early stage, which will help them develop into complete and well-rounded athletes. For us as coaches, it also means we can identify and mentor talent from an early age, ensuring that the next wave of players is ready to perform at the highest level.”
With the academy now operational, the Haryana Steelers aim to expand their impact beyond the Pro Kabaddi League by establishing a consistent talent pipeline. The initiative is expected to provide a strong long-term foundation for the team and uphold Haryana’s legacy as the epicentre of Indian kabaddi.
