Ashan Kumar to be appointed as coach of Indian Kabaddi team for Asian Games

The head coach has changed the fortunes of Tamil Thalaivas since coming in charge.

Ashan Kumar the current coach of Tamil Thalaivas in the Vivo Pro Kabaddi League is set to coach Indian Kabaddi team during the 2022 Asian Games to be held next year in China. Ashan Kumar was approached by the (AKFI) Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India before he took over the coaching stint from J Udhay Kumar and now has confirmed the same. 

Tamil Thalaivas was reeling at the bottom of the points table when Udhay Kumar left due to a personal emergency but the fortunes changed after that with the franchise for the first time in the history of PKL went on a five-match unbeaten streak (4 wins and 1 tie) and are currently positioned to enter the top 6.

Ashan Kumar the Dhronacharya and Arjuna awardee has vast experience in coaching both in PKL and the Indian National Kabaddi teams. He was the former coach of Puneri Paltan in season 6 and had a few stints with Iran and Sri Lankan Kabaddi teams.

India won the bronze medal during the 2018 Asian Games which was the first time when India did not win a gold medal at the Asiad. Ashan Kumar was the coach of team India during the 2018 Asiad and was part of the 1990 Asian Games gold-winning team as a player. The loss during the 2018 Asiad was a shock to many and was removed after the Games got over.

The postponed Asian Games is set to be held next year in China and Ashan Kumar has another chance to win gold which he missed out on during the last Asiad.

Ashan Kumar apart from coaching Tamil Thalaivas will now have to watch the league keenly to look for bright Indian talents and groom them with more than six months left. Pawan Sehrawat who underwent surgery will be under the watchful eyes of Ashan who shall monitor Pawan’s rehab as he is an asset to the Indian team.