Pro Kabaddi League | Anup Kumar appointed coach of Puneri Paltan

The Puneri Paltan side will now have the services of one of the legends of modern day kabaddi as they have appointed Anup Kumar as the next coach before the start of the fresh auctions for the seventh edition. The Pune-based franchise had experienced Ashan Kumar Sangwan at the helm last season after their previous coach BC Ramesh had moved to Bengaluru Bulls. 

After retiring from PKL last season, this will be the former India captain’s first stint as a coach for a particular team.

“Kabaddi is my first love and I have given everything for the sport. As a coach, this will be my first stint and I will concentrate on improving our team’s skills, fitness, and presence of mind on the mat. I am looking forward to working with Puneri Paltan, as a coach, in Vivo PKL Season 7,” Anup said, reported Indian Express.

Anup had won the PKL title with U Mumba in the second edition of the league and before moving to Jaipur last year, he represented U Mumba for the first five editions. Pune and Jaipur had finished fourth and fifth respectively in Zone A last year.

The Arjuna Awardee had clinched a gold medal on his international debut at South Asian Games in 2006. India won two gold medals in 2010 and 2014 Asian Games under the 35-year-old kabaddi player’s leadership. He also led the Indian side to a World Cup title in 2016 in Ahmedabad. 

“Anup is vastly experienced in the PKL format and known for his cool and calm composure. We are banking on his expertise to implement new tactics this season for our team,” Pune CEO Kailash Kandpal said.