Nagpur Ninjas clinched the Pro Govinda League Season 4 championship, cementing back-to-back titles after their Season 3 victory. While lifting the trophy and claiming top honors from a massive Rs 1.5 crore prize pool is a historic athletic milestone, the win represents something far larger for a fledgling tournament.
For those unfamiliar, the Pro Govinda League is a pioneering initiative designed to transform Maharashtra's centuries old Dahi Handi festival into a structured, professional sport. Every Janmashtami, teams known as Govindas build towering human pyramids to reach a suspended clay pot. For generations, this has been celebrated purely as a vibrant annual spectacle. The Govindas who climb to dizzying heights are everyday, hardworking individuals who carve hours out of their daily jobs to train with the discipline of elite athletes. Yet, historically, they have done so without financial safety nets, professional facilities, or systemic backing.
The Pro Govinda League was created to bridge this gap, providing these athletes with a competitive stage, safety gear, and significant prize money. Dr. Nalin Gupta, the visionary backing the Nagpur Ninjas, sees franchise ownership as a commitment to bringing long overdue dignity to local talent.
Q1: What made you decide to back the Nagpur Ninjas in the Pro Govinda League?
Dr. Nalin Gupta: The custom of Dahi Handi and Govinda has been there for generations in the state of Maharashtra, but it has been viewed as an annual affair all along. The men who build these towering human pyramids are everyday, hard-working people who carve hours out of their daily working lives to train. They are as dedicated and disciplined as any full-time sportspersons without any backing from the system or even financial assistance. My intent behind backing the Nagpur Ninjas is to help build something sustainable that outlasts a single festival day and gives these sportspersons the recognition and livelihood they have earned.
Q2: Dahi Handi is viewed purely as a cultural festival event rather than a mainstream sport. How do you shift that perception?
Dr. Nalin Gupta: By giving it a structured, professional platform. Look globally, in Catalonia, Spain, you have the Castells, where castellers build massive human towers. This is a tradition that has stood tall since the 18th century. And this is celebrated globally for its sheer athletic courage and coordination. The spirit of Dahi Handi isn't just local; it’s a universal display of skill, trust and athleticism. The Pro Govinda League provides these athletes with the stage they deserve, turning a traditional art form into a competitive, professional sport.
Q3: Why is Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) the benchmark for this vision?
Dr. Nalin Gupta: PKL is the most realistic reference point because its success wasn't instantaneous or easy. When PKL launched in 2014, franchises were operating at a loss. Yes, teams spent around ₹5 to 6 crore on average and lost roughly ₹3 crore each in the inaugural season. In the initial auctions, the marquee buy was India captain Rakesh Kumar at ₹12.8 lakh. But PKL proved that a structured franchise model could take an indigenous sport and turn unpaid skill into a legitimate profession. Within four seasons, top bids crossed ₹1 crore, with Monu Goyat hitting ₹1.51 crore in 2018. PKL showed the playbook; we are applying that belief to Govindas.
Q4: Building a brand-new league infrastructure comes with inherent financial risk. Are you expecting immediate returns?
Dr. Nalin Gupta: We aren’t standing here making bold claims that we are guaranteed to be the next PKL overnight. Building an ecosystem for an unsung sport takes time, patience, and capital. PKL proved that a franchise model can work to dignify a local sport, but for that transformation to happen for Govindas, someone has to step up and be early. Backing Nagpur Ninjas is about supporting local sports, placing faith in regional talent, and laying the groundwork so that the paycheck at the top of that pyramid becomes a long-term reality.
Q5: What does success look like for the Nagpur Ninjas in the next few years?
Dr. Nalin Gupta: Nagpur Ninjas emerged as the Champions of Season 3 and 4. But, success for us isn't just winning trophies. At this juncture, it's about creating structural impact. It means seeing a kid in Maharashtra look at a Govinda not just as someone participating in a festival, but as a professional athlete with a viable career path, proper training facilities and financial security. If the Pro Govinda League can pave the way for these athletes to be valued
year-round, we’ve achieved our objective.
