New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) – Famed kabaddi player Naveen Kumar Goyat, an Asian Games gold medalist, credits his journey in the sport to his desire to escape studies, something he has never regretted. Initially driven by a need to avoid academics, Goyat has achieved both fame and financial security, thanks significantly to the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Hailing from Bhaini Kungar, a village in Haryana's Bhiwani district, Goyat grew up witnessing hardship firsthand. His father, a bus driver for Haryana Roadways, worked tirelessly to provide for the family. "As I child, I rarely saw my father. He was always away with his bus and would come home just once a week," Goyat shared, expressing gratitude for his father's efforts in making ends meet. "We didn't even own a house and lived in a cramped space. Yet, my father always ensured I had a clean diet and bought me what he could." Despite his father’s hard work, studies never captured Goyat’s interest during his childhood. "In my village, kabaddi was the sport everyone played. I wasn't keen on studies, so I started playing instead," he revealed. Goyat, who now holds a BA degree from IGNOU Delhi, noted he was unaware of the significance of events like the Asian Games or the Olympics when he began in 2010. "Back then, kabaddi wasn't seen as a means to earn a living." However, Kabaddi's landscape transformed with the advent of the PKL in 2014. Goyat was picked by Dabang Delhi in 2018 for season six and has continued to evolve in the sport. In May 2025, he was acquired by Haryana Steelers for Rs 1.2 crore. "PKL's emergence significantly contributed to Kabaddi's popularity and began providing players with financial benefits. It's changed our lives, as we've been able to secure homes, vehicles, and more stable futures," said Goyat. Known as the 'Naveen Express' for his exceptional raiding skills, Goyat played a pivotal role in India's success at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where the team clinched gold by defeating Pakistan and Iran. He emphasized the motivation kabaddi gave him: "My dream was to play for India and now, I've realized that dream. I want to continue contributing both nationally and in PKL." Aside from his kabaddi career, Goyat serves as a Junior Warrant Officer in the Indian Air Force and has achieved 1102 raid points in the PKL, featuring 66 Super 10s and 16 Super Raids. Another notable player, Surjeet Singh Narwal, has also benefited greatly from kabaddi and the opportunities arising from PKL. "I initially played kabaddi purely due to my passion for it," Narwal recounted. Although he flirted with cricket, it was kabaddi that captured his heart. Before PKL, there was no financial allure to being a kabaddi player, even at a national level. Narwal, currently playing for Dabang Delhi and valued at Rs 20 lakh in the recent auctions, has achieved notable success in PKL with 443 tackle points, trailing only Fazel Atrachali overall but leading among Indian players. Known for registering the most High-5s (34) in PKL, his journey from Kathura village in Sonepat district underscores resilience and dedication. "Lack of facilities was a challenge, but kabaddi held a significant community value that motivated us. I am the seventh player from my village to have played at the Asian Games," Narwal proudly stated. PTI PDS
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