COVID-19 hits Pro Kabaddi League with over 15 cases in three teams

Published at :January 25, 2022 at 5:16 AM

Modified at :December 13, 2023 at 1:01 PM

(Courtesy : ProKabaddiLeague)

The organizers have already rescheduled the matches of Patna and Gujarat.

Pro Kabaddi League Season 8 has been severely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Khel Now can confirm that more than 15 players have tested positive for COVID-19 at The Sheraton Grand, Whitefield in Bengaluru so far.

Khel Now had informed you that the organizers of the Pro Kabaddi League were forced to reschedule the matches of Patna Pirates and Gujarat Giants after the positive cases. Now, some COVID-19 cases have also been detected in the Jaipur Pink Panthers' camp.

According to sources close to the developments, “Three teams have been affected by the COVID-19 so far, with most cases in Patna, Gujarat, and some cases in Jaipur. The organizers of the Pro Kabaddi League have already rescheduled the matches of Patna Pirates and Gujarat Giants. Now, it seems like they would also have to reschedule Jaipur Pink Panthers' matches."

Patna Pirates, who are heavily affected by COVID-19 cases, will not play their match against Telugu Titans on 25 January, Tuesday. They have already seen their previous two matches being rescheduled due to the cases. Patna Pirates did not play their previous matches against Bengaluru Bulls and Puneri Paltan.

Matches have been rescheduled

Gujarat Giants will also not put their players on the mat against Haryana Steelers on Tuesday. The Giants will now face Puneri Paltan on 27 January, Thursday. Meanwhile, Patna Pirates' match against Tamil Thalaivas has been rescheduled for 28 January, Friday. These matches could also be pushed forward, if the positive players do not recover on time.

Both Patna and Gujarat were picking up good form in the Pro Kabaddi League before COVID-19 struck their camps.

Jaipur Pink Panthers have a fixture against UP Yoddha on Thursday as well. They will hope that their players recover in time to play the match.

Earlier, a source close to developments had told Khel Now, "The rescheduling of both of Patna Pirates’ matches has come at a pretty much unexpected time. However, it is believed that staff members or players from the Patna Pirates’ camp have tested positive for COVID-19. The organizers of the league have given enough time to Patna Pirates to solve this crisis. They wanted the team to come on the mat with all players fit and ready to go. However, their efforts were hammered when they got to know about a COVID-19 outbreak in other teams."

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The organizers of the Pro Kabaddi League are doing their best to deal with this crisis. Patna Pirates were playing exceptionally well till the crisis struck the camp. Meanwhile, Pro Kabaddi League has confirmed that they have found positive cases in two teams.

Pro Kabaddi League released the following statement, confirming the COVID-19 outbreak, "After the successful completion of the first half of the league stage of the ongoing season of VIVO Pro Kabaddi, two of the 12 PKL Teams have found it difficult to field the requisite number of 12 players for their respective matches due to some players in these teams testing positive for Covid-19."

"The health of the players continues to be top priority for Mashal Sports. The affected players have been timely isolated as part of the safety protocols. To ensure the continuity of matches in the present environment, Mashal Sports together with all PKL Teams, have proactively rescheduled some of the matches and will continue to review the situation," the statement concluded.

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