The Indian Premier League pioneered a mass movement for franchise-based sports in India, with the likes of the Pro Kabaddi League, Indian Super League (football), and the Hockey India League, among others, taking a leaf out of the cricket tournament’s book. Pro Panja League (PPL) has followed suit in recent times and has just commenced its second season on Tuesday in Gwalior.

Despite its nascency, the league has already provided a platform for Indian arm wrestlers to gain recognition, but the athletes are hopeful that soon the state’s official arm wrestling body — Maharashtra Armwrestling Association — will take cognisance of the sport’s growing popularity and support players by introducing contracts or sponsorships that will enable them to focus on arm wrestling without having to work other jobs.

Athletes on double duty

Vasai-resident Paarth Sonni, 24, is a six-time gold-medallist at the People’s Armwrestling Federation of India’s (PAFI) National Championships and despite being a successful professional arm wrestler for nine years, is forced to supplement his income from the sport by working as a body building and arm wrestling coach, also providing online classes. “Currently, even if you’re a full-time arm wrestler, you have to find another job too. It’s high time we get contracts, given the way the sport is growing. Hopefully, that will happen in the next couple of years,” Sonni, who is part of PPL’s Mumbai Muscle squad, told mid-day.