We have many checks and balances to prevent corruption in Pro Kabaddi League: Charu Sharma

Mumbai: As the second season of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League is set to begin on July 18, organisers of the event have said they have taken enough precautions to avoid corruption-related controversies. In light of the recent verdict given by the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha committee against franchise owners of Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), Charu Sharma, Director of Mashal Sports and one of the men behind the creation of Pro Kabaddi has said that sufficient steps have been taken to avoid a similar situation in the league. [caption id=“attachment_2347768” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Pro Kabaddi League season 2 trophy was launched in the presence of stars from the 8 teams. PTI[/caption] Speaking to Firstpost on the sidelines of the trophy-launch event for the second season, Charu Sharma said, “There is a huge conscious effort on our side [to avoid corruption] with a long list of governance rules laid down. The owners, the players are all aware of it and we have had many camps and sessions for this. There has been a committee set up too. There are so many checks and balances.” “We can see what’s happening to other sports but I don’t think it’ll happen here. I wish for the best. All these guys who play the game are very, very humble and nice people, however rough and tough they are while playing,” Sharma said. Sharma also said that at the end of the day the buck stops with the players and owners. “How do you govern an adult every single second of his life? We have trained them to understand that one small act can bring everything down and to be as careful as one can be. We are nurturing leaders in each team and the owners too can pass it down to rest of the team," Sharma said. Charu Sharma, who is hoping the league emulates the unprecedented success of last year, said that the league will again be under the watch of NADA (National Anti Doping Agency) running regular checks. “We want to as clean as we can be. We have a wonderful chance to start afresh with Kabaddi here, why ruin it?” Stressing on the need for the league to have social responsibility, Pro Kabaddi League pledged its commitment to the “Swachh Bharat Abhiyan” which was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with star players from eight teams and team representatives signing a petition to this effect at the trophy launch. The first leg of the second season, which will have seven matches played in each of the eight cities, starts in Mumbai on 18 July. Amitabh Bachchan, who has crooned the ‘Le Panga’ number for promoting the league, will perform the National Anthem on the opening night.