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The Pro Wrestling League (PWL) has made a comeback with its fifth season this year after a seven-year hiatus, marking a fresh chapter for Indian wrestling.
Speaking on the occasion, the league's curators and promoters, Dayaan Farooqi and Akhil Gupta, expressed their elation at the return of the league and reflected on its journey, accomplishments, and revival. The Chairman and Promoter of PWL, Dayaan Farooqi, said they considered themselves "fortunate" to revive the league, recalling the success of its previous seasons from 2015 to 2019. "We consider ourselves fortunate that we were able to revive the league. This league was very successful between 2015 and 2019. It came to a stop during COVID... We are very fortunate that we got this chance to revive the Pro Wrestling League. From preparation to auction and then to reality, the journey of the revival has been very good...," he said. Farooqi further highlighted the league's role in providing exposure and competitive opportunities for Indian wrestlers against international players. "I talked to several wrestlers, and they were very excited for the return of the league. The Indian wrestlers are getting more exposure through this league and are competing with international players," Farooqi said. Meanwhile, Akhil Gupta, Promoter and CEO of Pro Wrestling League, reflected on his journey of curating the league from a passion for the sport, describing wrestling as "an emotion for the country" and lauding its success in the Olympics. "Dayaan and I always wanted to do something in sports. We were friends first, and now we are business partners... We developed an interest in wrestling. It is not just a game; it is an emotion for the country. Our tagline is 'Desh ka asli Dangal'. This is the real game of the country, and it is one game which is actually bringing us medals in the Olympics," he said. Addressing the league's hiatus, he said the hurdles made the revival more "challenging and interesting," calling it a win. "It was challenging for us to restart something that had been stopped. There were many hurdles, but they made it more challenging and interesting. This is a win-win for everyone... We did not have to establish the game; it is already very big, way beyond our imagination; we just had to establish the league...," he added. The President of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), Sanjay Singh, hailed the fifth season, calling it a success and appreciating stakeholders for trusting the WFI to manage the league after the COVID-induced halt. Speaking to ANI, Singh appreciated the stakeholders for trusting WFI for the league and said that the league is going well after being halted due to the COVID pandemic. "Pro Wrestling League was paused due to COVID, and then we lost some time after that due to other reasons. It has finally resumed, and the league is going on pretty well. We just had to gain the trust of all stakeholders- team owners and players, which we have done. They have also expressed their faith in the Wrestling Federation of India, and the league is a success...," he said. Shalini Singh, President of the Noida Citizen Forum, highlighted the new season's enhancements aimed at increasing participation and providing a "great platform" for players globally. "... The youth got together, and we made it as exciting as possible. We made it as exciting as we could, so that more and more people could participate... This is a great platform for our players to practice and learn on their home ground, with players from across the world...250 players participated in the auction for the league...," Singh said. The Pro Wrestling League (PWL), sanctioned by the Wrestling Federation of India, returns for its fifth season after seven years with a renewed identity and comprehensive restructuring ahead of competitive action in January 2026. The league is now operated by ONO Media, led by partners Akhil Gupta and Dayaan Farooqi, with a focus on building a transparent, athlete-first ecosystem centred on professionalism, integrity, and long-term sustainability within Indian wrestling. PWL's renewed mission is centred on creating a world-class professional platform for wrestlers by bridging the gap between grassroots akhadas and the global competitive stage. The league aims to provide structured opportunities, international exposure and a professionally managed environment for athletes, while contributing to the long-term growth and credibility of wrestling in India. (ANI)
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