Season III all set for Saturday start

Hyderabad: Taking cue from the stupendous success of Telangana Premier Kabaddi Season I and II, the season III is all set for kickoff from February 22 at Kotla Vijay Bhaskar Reddy Indoor Stadium, Yousufguda, Hyderabad.

In all 32 matches scheduled over 14 days will be broadcasted Live by Star Sports 1 (Telugu) Channel and Facebook. The grand finale and the third place match will be held on March 14.

Cyberabad Chargers will make their debut in Season III replacing the runners-up of Season II - Palamuru Panthers. Keeping the eight-team format intact, the event will witness the participation of Warangal Warriors, Karimnagar Kings, Nalgonda Eagles, Rangareddy Raiders, Mancherial Tigers, Hyderabad Bulls and Gadwal Gladiators including Cyberbad Charges.

With the exception of Mancherial Tigers, who made their entry in season II, and debutants Cyberabad Chargers, all other six teams (Warangal Warriors, Karimnagar Kings, Nalgonda Eagles, Rangareddy Raiders, Hyderabad Bulls and Gadwal Gladiators are taking part in the league for the third consecutive time since the formation of the league.

Defending champions Warangal Warriors will play the curtain-raiser against Rangareddy Raiders on February 22, while the group-stage showdown will conclude with Rangareddy Raiders taking on Mancherial Tigers on March 11. Each team will play one match against the other in a round-robin format.

The last four encounters are scheduled to be held on March 13. The team finishing on top of the points table will square off against the fourth-placed team in the first semifinal while the second semifinal will see the side finishing second face off with the third-placed team. The losers of the semi-finals will participate in a third-place match ahead of the final.

The Season III league organisers are T Sanjay Reddy (League Commissioner) and C Praveen Kumar Reddy (League Director) and is backed by Chintala Sports Private Limited under the aegis of Silly Monks Entertainment Ltd., the Southern digital media entertainment juggernaut. Telangana Premier Kabaddi League was formed with the help of Telangana Kabaddi Association mark its strength in its own state

Sanjay Reddy – League Commissioner, TPKL & MD, Silly Monks Entertainment Ltd. said "Telangana Premier Kabaddi League the regional avatar of the national kabaddi league, Pro Kabaddi League, is drawing so much attention off late with the up-scaling and the passion this Third season. The trophy is a true symbol of enthusiasm for the oldest sport of our country."

Warangal Warriors emerged Season II champs by defeating Palamuru Panthers 37-28 in 2018 while Hyderabad Bulls had the privilege of being the inaugural champions back in 2017.