Pro Kabaddi League: Bengal Warriors Name New Coaching Staff Ahead of PKL Season 11

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Bengal Warriors on Tuesday (July 9) named a new coaching staff, headed by Prashant Surve, as the season 7 champions started off their preparations for the upcoming season of the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) 2024.

The Warriors, who parted ways with former Head Coach K Bhaskaran following a disappointing Season 10 campaign, also announced Praveen Yadav as deputy to Prashant Surve in the new coaching setup.

Prashant Surve, who has been part of the Bengal Warriors setup since PKL S9 as an assistant coach, will look to build a competitive squad in his new role as he takes over from the veteran K Bhaskaran.

Meanwhile Praveen Yadav, a former kabaddi player himself is a new entrant to PKL and will be supporting Prashant, as both look to work together to develop a strong long-term squad.

The Kolkata based franchise has previously won the PKL title in 2019, which was season 7 of the tournament, and have qualified for the Playoffs on four occasions in the last decade.

In Season 10, the Warriors narrowly missed out on qualifying for the Playoffs as they finished 7th, and kept the race for the knockout stages alive up until the final rounds of the league stage.

Season 10 of the PKL was also the first time the Bengal Warriors returned to their home turf after 4 years, in Kolkata,. Bengal Warriors is gearing up the Season 11, with a new think tank will want to make significant progress when the PKL Auction comes around.

"I am delighted that the Capri Sports owned Bengal Warriors franchise have shown immense faith in me by asking me to take over as the Head Coach of the team," said Head Coach Prashant Surve.

"We are committed to put our best efforts, whether it is the auctions or on the mat to make the people of Bengal proud. We received a lot of warmth & affection our fans when we went back to the city after 4 years, and we promise to exhibit our best play and deliver positive results this season."

"The Bengal Warriors family is raring to go for Season 11 of the PKL, and with our new coaches taking charge, we are confident of putting on a good show on the mat," said Apurv Gupta, Senior Vice President and Head of Contact Sports, Capri Sports.

"Prashant has been with us since PKL S9 and is an experienced coach and Praveen is also well-versed with the beautiful sport of Kabaddi. We at Capri Sports believe they are the right minds to take us forward."

"Season 11 of the PKL will hopefully be a fantastic year for the Bengal Warriors, and Capri Sports. We have had some ups and downs on the way, which is normal in any Franchisee sport," said Jinisha Sharma, Director, Capri Sports.

"However, we are prepared to battle it out in the next Season 11 and will leave no stone unturned to ensure that we deliver for our fans.

"Looking ahead, a new coaching group always adds more zest to the squad, and we hope it will lead to some memorable moments for us in the upcoming Season 11."

Source: Media Release