Ranchi, India — The Kabaddi Association of Jharkhand, Bihar State Kabaddi Association and Chhattisgarh Kabaddi Association announced their sanction of the JBC Kabaddi League on Thursday. All three groups belong to the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India. The league stands for Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh Kabaddi League.

League organizers plan a structured format to spotlight emerging players. Scouting efforts, a player auction and professional exposure will draw attention to new talent. Officials expect the event to boost fan turnout, stir community pride and support kabaddi infrastructure across the region.

Rannvijay Singh, an India-based sports entrepreneur, leads promotion efforts for the league. He serves as director of the Bhojpuri Industry Premier League and owns the Awadh Ramdoots franchise in the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League. Singh praised the states’ strong kabaddi roots during the announcement.

“State and local leagues are key growth pathways,” Singh said. “Jharkhand, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh share a deep connection with kabaddi, played widely in schools and community spaces. The JBC Kabaddi League builds on this legacy by creating a structured platform that connects grassroots talent to the professional ecosystem.”

Singh stressed the backing from state associations. He called it essential to their goal of turning kabaddi into a mainstream career option.

The league tapped Randhir Singh Sehrawat as its brand ambassador to spur grassroots involvement. Known as “Coach Saab,” Sehrawat spent more than 40 years in Indian kabaddi as a player and national coach. He earned the Arjuna Award in 1997 and the National Citizen Award in 1991, the first for any kabaddi player.

Sehrawat collected 93 medals in competitions such as Senior Nationals, Federation Cups and All India Railway Championships. His role aims to inspire young athletes in the three states.

Kabaddi enjoys massive popularity in eastern and central India. The sport thrives in rural areas, schools and local clubs. State associations view the JBC league as a bridge to national and pro circuits.

The five-team setup promises intense rivalries. Matches will rotate across venues in Jharkhand, Bihar and Chhattisgarh. Organizers have not released full schedules or team names yet.

This league joins a wave of regional kabaddi efforts. Bodies like the AKFI push for more such tournaments to feed talent into events like the Pro Kabaddi League. JBC organizers predict strong attendance and TV viewership.

Singh’s experience with BIPL and UPKL positions him well. His Awadh Ramdoots team competed in recent Uttar Pradesh seasons. That background will shape JBC’s operations, from auctions to marketing.

State leaders hailed the sanction. Officials from the Jharkhand association called it a milestone for local players. Bihar and Chhattisgarh counterparts agreed, citing shared cultural ties to the sport.

Fans can expect updates on team selections soon. The league’s 2026 launch aligns with kabaddi’s rising profile after Olympic inclusion talks and international success.