8 January 2026, Noida: Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2 witnessed the presence of former Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Dinesh Sharma, who attended the league match between Ganga Kings of Mirzapur and Gazab Ghaziabad at the Noida Indoor Stadium. Dinesh Sharma was felicitated at the venue in recognition of his support for sports and grassroots development.
During his visit, Dinesh Sharma expressed his happiness at being present at UPKL and observing the league’s growing scale and organisation. He highlighted kabaddi’s deep-rooted history in India, describing it as a sport that combines physical strength with strategic thinking. He noted that kabaddi has existed for thousands of years and pointed to India’s consistent success at the Asian Games as a reflection of the sport’s strong foundation in the country.
Reflecting on the sport’s evolution, Dinesh Sharma said, “Kabaddi was traditionally a village game, but structured platforms like UPKL have helped transform it into a city-based competitive sport. Such leagues provide athletes with exposure, professional environments, and clearer pathways to higher levels of competition.”
He also emphasised the importance of organised leagues such as UPKL in creating structured opportunities for athletes. Stressing the role of grassroots development, he observed that platforms like UPKL help identify and nurture talent at an early stage, which is essential for building a strong and competitive national team over time.
The felicitation and presence of senior public figures at the venue further underlined UPKL’s expanding relevance within India’s sporting ecosystem, as the league continues to strengthen its role in promoting kabaddi at both grassroots and competitive levels.
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