Haryana Steelers get new home, captain

Tribune News Service

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Panchkula, July 17 

Aiming to win their maiden Pro Kabaddi League title, Haryana Steelers on Wednesday announced Tau Devi Lal Stadium here as their official centre for the upcoming season. 

The franchise also named defender Dharmaraj Cheralathan as their team captain for the seventh season.

Haryana Steelers were formed in 2017 and qualified for the play-offs in their very first season. Based out of the city of Sonipat previously, the franchise has decided to shift its base to Panchkula in order to continue its pursuit of popularising the sport throughout the state of Haryana. 

The organisers of the Pro Kabaddi League had earlier announced Panchkula as a new venue where a total of 11 league matches will be held this season.

Steelers, which had earlier appointed former India captain Rakesh Kumar as their head coach, also named Cheralathan as captain, and will count on the 44-year old’s  experience and understanding of the game to lead them to the playoffs and beyond this season.

“We have a very good mix of players in the team and in Dharmaraj, an experienced leader. We have had a good pre-season camp at the Inspire Institute of Sport over the past months and the team is raring to start the new season with an eye on the Pro Kabaddi League trophy,” said Kumar.

“Kabaddi is a sport that is followed throughout the state of Haryana, and we wanted to make sure that we also give our fans in Panchkula the opportunity to experience world-class action. The team is scheduled to play four matches in the city this season and we look forward to our fans coming to the stadium to see their favourite players perform,” said Mustafa Ghouse, CEO, JSW Sports, which owns the franchise.

Haryana Steelers will start their season against Puneri Paltan on July 22 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad.