Mar, 10: Haryana Steelers are expanding their grassroots development efforts with a growing academy ecosystem aimed at identifying and nurturing young kabaddi talent across Haryana. As part of this initiative, the franchise has established dedicated training centres and partnered with licensed academies across the state to create a structured pathway for emerging players.
These academies are designed to provide young athletes with access to professional coaching, structured training programmes, and a competitive environment that supports long-term player development.
By combining their own academies with a network of licensed partner centres, Haryana Steelers are building a wider grassroots platform that enables talented players from multiple districts to access quality training and development opportunities.
Strengthening this vision further, the franchise has announced the launch of the Haryana Steelers Cup (HS Cup); a statewide youth kabaddi tournament aimed at providing competitive exposure to emerging players across Haryana.
The tournament will be held from 21st to 29th March 2026 and will feature boys in the 16–20 years category. Matches will be played across three key kabaddi centres in the state – Rohtak, Hisar, and Sonipat, with the top teams from each zone advancing to the finals at the Brigadier Ran Singh (BRS) Kabaddi Academy in Dighal.
The tournament carries a total prize pool of ₹5 lakh, with ₹2 lakh awarded to the winners and ₹1 lakh to the runners-up. In addition, the top four teams in each zonal round will receive cash prizes, while individual honours will be presented to the Best Raider and Best Defender of the tournament.
Speaking on the initiative, Divyanshu Singh, CEO, Haryana Steelers and JSW Sports, said:
“Kabaddi runs deep in Haryana’s culture, and as a franchise from the state, we feel a strong responsibility to help nurture the next generation of players. With the launch of our academy and partnerships with licensed academies, we are working to build a stronger development structure for young athletes across Haryana. The Haryana Steelers Cup is designed to provide a platform where emerging talent can compete, gain exposure and take their first steps towards professional kabaddi. Our aim is to contribute not just to the sport in Haryana, but to the future of kabaddi in India. A big focus of our efforts will also be on grassroots initiatives, using kabaddi as a tool for social and community development.”
To further highlight this development ecosystem, Haryana Steelers have also released a video offering a glimpse into their academy facilities and the training environment being created for young kabaddi players. The video showcases the franchise’s commitment to building a clear pathway that supports athletes from grassroots training to competitive opportunities through platforms such as the Haryana Steelers Cup.
Together, the academy network and the Haryana Steelers Cup represent a key step in the franchise’s long-term effort to strengthen the grassroots foundation of kabaddi in Haryana and support the next generation of athletes.
Teams interested in participating in the Haryana Steelers Cup can register by contacting the organisers at +91 87701 04730, with registrations open until 19 March 2026.
