Haryana Steelers launch youth kabaddi cup with ₹5 lakh prize pool
Haryana Steelers have launched a statewide youth kabaddi tournament aimed at identifying the next generation of talent from the sport's heartland.
The Haryana Steelers Cup, or HS Cup, will run from March 21 to 29 and is open to boys aged between 16 and 20. Matches will be held across three cities: Rohtak, Hisar, and Sonipat, all established kabaddi hubs in the state. The top teams from each zone will advance to the finals at the Brigadier Ran Singh Kabaddi Academy in Dighal.
Prize pool and format
The tournament carries a total prize pool of five lakh rupees. The winners will take home two lakh, the runners-up one lakh, and cash prizes will also go to the top four teams at each zonal stage. Individual awards for Best Raider and Best Defender will round out the honours.
Registration is open until March 19 and teams can enter by contacting the organisers on +91 87701 04730.
Part of a bigger plan
The HS Cup is not a standalone event. It is part of a development programme the franchise has been building over the past few years. Haryana Steelers have set up their own training centres and partnered with licensed kabaddi academies across different districts to create a grassroots pipeline from local mats to the Pro Kabaddi League.
Divyanshu Singh, CEO of Haryana Steelers and JSW Sports, said the franchise felt a responsibility to support young players from a state where kabaddi runs deep.
"The Haryana Steelers Cup will serve as an important competitive platform where young players can showcase their skills, gain match experience, and take their first steps toward a professional kabaddi career," Singh said.
Haryana's kabaddi tradition
Haryana has long been India's kabaddi factory. The state has produced a steady stream of Pro Kabaddi stars and national team players, and kabaddi academies dot the landscape from Rohtak to Sonipat. But the pathway from rural mats to professional leagues can be unstructured, and tournaments like the HS Cup aim to bridge that gap by giving young raiders and defenders competitive exposure against the best in their age group.
The franchise has also released a video showcasing its academy setup, highlighting the facilities and coaching infrastructure available to young athletes.
