Sports and entertainment channel Sony SIX today said it has won exclusive rights to broadcast World Kabaddi League in India in its inaugural year.World Kabaddi League, (WKL) is the world's first professional Kabaddi League that has been conceptualised in India and will be played globally

While seven countries including India, Pakistan, England, Belgium, USA, Canada and Australia will participate in the WKL as of now, 10 teams that are neither state- nor country- specific have already been confirmed. WKL has been modeled on lines of a travelling sports property where all 10 teams will play each other in the same week, similar to the Formula One format

Pargat Singh, commissioner - World Kabaddi League says, "By and large, a rural sport, Kabaddi is going through a transformation, as seen in the last four successful seasons of the World Cup with participation from over 21 countries. In our endeavor to professionalise the sport we intend to take Kabaddi to the next level through our partnership with Sony SIX as the official broadcaster of WKL in India."

Raman Raheja, CEO, World Kabaddi League opines, ''For a debutant sporting property the broadcaster becomes a very crucial associate in determining the economic success of a league. We were in talks with various broadcasters for each region and out of them all Sony SIX had the most promising line up of premier sporting properties this year."

Prasana Krishnan, MSM EVP and business head Sony SIX adds, "We feel it is time to revive Kabaddi's legacy and make it an exciting venture for all those involved. It will be interesting to take this sport to the swanky stadiums in India and abroad. It's our endeavour to popularise Indian sports and through this association we aim to create visibility and generate interest for the game."

The tournament will kick-off on August 9 and will be played in the UK, the US, Canada, the UAE and India