The three-time Asian Games gold medallist & Arjuna Awardee has previously played for U Mumba in seasons 3 & 4
Mumbai, February 24, 2025: Kabaddi legend Rakesh Kumar returns to U Mumba after nine
years in a new avatar, with the three-time Asian gold medallist and former Indian skipper taking
charge of the team as the new head coach and ushering in a new era in the Pro Kabaddi League.
An Arjuna Awardee, Rakesh will be bringing a plethora of experience and leadership to the squad.
One of the most respected players, past and present, in the Kabaddi circle, Rakesh Kumar has
dominated the mat with discipline and tactical excellence, bringing his A-Game every time he
entered the arena. U Mumba are setting the stage for the announcement with #Se7enIsBack
campaign, celebrating his commitment and long-term success while reinforcing the vision that
prioritises strong leadership, strategic growth and a winning mentality.
With Rakesh at the helm, U Mumba aims to build a squad which has the ability to perform at the
highest level consistently and stays true to the franchise’s legacy of determination and excellence
in the Pro Kabaddi League.
Welcoming Rakesh back to U Mumba, CEO Suhail Chandhok said: “Arguably India’s greatest
kabaddi player, a three-time Asian Games gold medalist, an Arjuna Awardee, but, most
importantly, a former U Mumba player himself who returns to our family. It gives me immense
pleasure to welcome Rakesh back, this time as a Head Coach. It’s going to be a very exciting
phase, not just for us but for him as well. His respect among the players is unparalleled, I know
he’s got very big goals as a Coach and we share the same drive to take the team forward into this
fresh chapter.”
The highest-paid player of PKL Season 1, Rakesh joined U Mumba in Season 3, quickly ascending to fan-favourite status. Known for his exceptional leadership, honed over years of top-level competition, he has transitioned from commanding the mat to strategizing from the sidelines, evident through his prior coaching experience leading Haryana in the PKL and the Indian Railways team. Rakesh brings a sharp tactical mindset and a winning mentality to elevate UMumba to new heights.
Speaking on his return, a delighted Rakesh said: “I am pleased with my homecoming to U
Mumba after such a long time. I used to wear the Mumba colours as a player and now, I have the
responsibility of coaching the side. I hope that in the upcoming season, we build a strong squad
and get the team back into the same rhythm it had in the first three seasons. We will work hard to
achieve this. I am grateful to be back.”
With Rakesh back at the helm, U Mumba are reinforcing their commitment to excellence, building
defensive solidity and a well-balanced raiding unit. His return in a new role has ignited excitement
among fans, eager to see the former U Mumba star now orchestrating the team’s success from
the sidelines. The move blends nostalgia with anticipation, as supporters rally behind a familiar
and trusted leader, hopeful that his tactical acumen will guide U Mumba back to the top of the Pro
Kabaddi League.
Link to the Announcement: https://youtu.be/wgjWDcBuV4I?feature=shared
ENDS
About U Mumba
U Mumba is a leading sports business group owned by Ronnie Screwvala’s Unilazer Ventures
Pvt. Ltd. It successfully operates two premier sports franchises in the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL)
and Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT) in India and has very recently expanded its global sporting
footprint into Chess with Tech Mahindra and FIDE’s Global Chess League (GCL). Headquartered
in Mumbai, U Mumba has a presence across multiple Indian cities and boasts a robust roster with
multiple national and international players and coaches in their ranks.