Pro Kabaddi brought back childhood memories: Ajay-Atul

The famous Gogavale brothers – Atul (L) and Ajay at Pro Kabaddi

The second day of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi’s Pune leg was marked by the presence of legends of the Marathi music fraternity in the shape of super-talented singing duo Ajay-Atul. The duo has more than made its mark in the Hindi film industry as well after composing music for blockbusters like Agneepath, Singham and Bol Bachchan. Their most recent track ‘Mera Naam Mary Hai’ from the film Brothers is currently ruling the hearts of several Indian music lovers.

But, on Monday, the duo graced the Balewadi Indoor Stadium with their presence as they had the honour of kickstarting the kabaddi action by singing the national anthem in their charming voices.

It was probably appropriate that Ajay-Atul who epitomise talent in the state were given the responsibility to raise the curtain on forty minutes of action-packed display of talent, though of a very different type.

“Star has done a great job in popularising kabaddi”

The duo spoke to Sportskeeda after the game and expressed their delight at the pace at which kabaddi has captured the imaginations of the young generations and threw light on some of their childhood memories which the event brought back to life for them.

“We used to sing the national anthem in school. Unfortunately since we aren’t of the same age we could never sing it together, but I’m glad we were able to do so today. I would like to thank Star Sports for giving the honor of singing the national anthem and giving us to experience this grand event in real,” said a slightly nostalgic Atul Gogavale.

He further added, “My cousin was a good kabaddi player in his young days and I remembered how his friends used to come together and play the sport. We shared some great memories over the sport and all those have been brought back instantly after seeing these players play.”

Atul’s brother Ajay feels that Pro Kabaddi has done a great job in getting an Indian sport which lacked the necessary attention into the limelight again. “For many years, kabaddi has been a neglected sport. It is all about cricket. So I feel Star Sports has done a great job in popularising this sport again,” said Ajay Gogavle.

“Pro Kabaddi will help the sport find its Sachin Tendulkar”

Adding on to Ajay’s comments on the popularisation of the game, Atul believes that as the Pro Kabaddi League grows in the future, it is bound to give the national team some really wonderful players as well as great national icons.

“Before Sachin arrived on the scene, very few people thought of cricket as their profession, but now we see every child wanting to be a cricketer. Similarly I feel the Pro Kabaddi League will create heroes and role models for the young kids and draw them towards playing the sport, which is extremely important,” expressed Atul.

The duo was left highly impressed by the Star Sports League and felt the next step for the league should be take it to the international level. “I think they (Star Sports) should try and take this to an international level. I feel kabaddi as a sport has great potential, globally, so I feel that should be their next step and we wish them luck,” Atul continued.

Having built a name for themselves from scratch the duo of Ajay-Atul knows what success tastes like and hence can seamlessly relate with many of the players on show in the Pro Kabaddi league who hold similar dreams in their eyes as Ajay Atul held few years back. Hopefully Star Sports Pro Kabaddi can follow the same path which the duo treaded on their path to success.