PKL 2022: Before PKL, money was not there in kabaddi for all players – Fazel Atrachali

Puneri Paltan captain Fazel Atrachali has given credit to the rise of the Pro Kabaddi League for changing the fortunes of budding Kabaddi players in the world. The Iranian feels before the PKL, money was not there in the sport for all players however it has changed in the last few years.

Atrachali led Puneri Paltan to the final of PKL 9 against Jaipur Pink Panthers but his team could not cross the final hurdle as they lost by 33-29 at the ‘Dome, NSCI SVP Stadium’, Mumbai on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Atrachali was roped in by Puneri Paltan for a huge amount of 1.38 crores in PKL 2022 auctions and he had become the first player to breach the 1 crore mark in the history of PKL auctions.

Fazel Atrachali said while talking to Sportskeeda, “One thing that is true in life is that money is very important. If you are playing kabaddi and you don’t have money, after some years, you will be like ‘Why am I playing kabaddi? Why am I wasting my time?’ You cannot go to gym and practice everyday if you don’t have money. You cannot buy shoes, you cannot buy good workout equipment for yourself.”

The 30-year-old feels the impressive salaries of the Pro Kabaddi League have improved the lifestyle of Kabaddi players.

“You need money. All people need money. You need it for your family also. Before PKL, money was not there in kabaddi for all players. When we first joined Pro Kabaddi, our life changed. We are on TV, we are becoming stars. And second, players can make money if they play well. From that, they can buy a good car, good home and help their family, that is the best for them.”

Atrachali revealed he gave an English book to U Mumba’s Heiderali Ekrami in order to communicate with the Indian players and the team’s management.

“Yes, like three to four months before this season also, I gave an English book to Heiderali Ekrami of U Mumba. I said that reading that book, is very important. These are the words you will use more during some simple conversations. Something like this I teach them.”