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As the Pro Kabaddi League gears up for the launch of its landmark Season 12, three players who proudly represent India’s armed forces — Naveen Kumar (Haryana Steelers) from the Indian Air Force, Devank Dalal (Bengal Warriorz) from the Indian Army, and Bharat Hooda (Telugu Titans) from the Indian Navy — paid a special visit to INS Kursura, the historic submarine museum in Visakhapatnam, on August 28.
INS Kursura holds a place of pride in India’s naval history. Commissioned in 1969, the submarine played an important role during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, carrying out patrols and contributing to India’s maritime strength at a crucial time. After serving the nation for over three decades, it was decommissioned in 2001 and now stands preserved on the Ramakrishna Beach in Visakhapatnam as a submarine museum. The site offers citizens a glimpse into the life of submariners who worked in challenging conditions deep under the sea.
The visit was a reminder of the deep bond between sport and the services, as the athletes experienced first-hand the conditions in which naval officers once lived and served beneath the sea. For the players, it was not just a symbolic gesture but an inspiring encounter with India’s military legacy.
Coming to the INS Kursura as a kabaddi player is a very emotional moment for me: Bharat
Sharing his reflections, Naveen said: “We were inside only for 10-15 minutes but I was sweating so much, much more than I would while playing a match. Bharat has served in the Navy, so I have to salute him and others who have done a big job for the country.”
“Coming to the INS Kursura as a kabaddi player is a very emotional moment for me. Being a part of the the Navy, I know the kind of courage and discipline it takes to be inside a submarine. It was an honour to share this experience with my fellow players and to remember the sacrifices of our armed forces," said Bharat of the Indian Navy, and the Telugu Titans.
The experience set an emotional and patriotic tone for the upcoming season, underscoring the values of courage, resilience, and teamwork that both the armed forces and kabaddi embody.
(With Inputs from Press Release)
