Pro Roll Ball: 128 players part of auction for first season in Nov; logos of 8 teams launched
MUMBAI: A total of 128 players, including 38 foreign players, were part of the auction for the inaugural Pro Roll Ball league in which eight teams will be participating.
Pro Roll Ball is set to be the first-ever international league for the game of Roll Ball, an indigenous sport going global, and international players from 17 countries will be participating in the 15-day league that will take place from November 20 to December 3, 2023, a media release said.
The player auction process was divided into three categories: A, B, and C (International Players). Category A included players who have represented India in any international tournament within the last five years or have participated in three consecutive national tournaments during the same period. Category B consisted of players who have participated in three consecutive national tournaments within the last five years or attended any India team qualifying camp. The base prices for both categories were set at Rs. 1.5 lakh and Rs. 1 lakh, respectively.
The Asian Roll Ball Federation had nominated 34 players for auction for the first season of Pro Roll Ball League. On the other hand, the list of players from ‘C’ category (Foreign Players) includes 38 players from countries like Iran, Belarus, Oman, Egypt, Kenya, Senegal, Poland, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia, England, Argentina, France, and Brazil. In total, 128 players were nominated for auction in all categories, the release said.
The logos and jerseys of the eight franchises were revealed during the event, and each team will consist of ten players, with three international players being a mandatory inclusion.
Yuga Sports and Entertainment has acquired the rights from the Asian Roll Ball Federation for organsing the legaue. Siddharth Mehta, Founder and CEO of Yuga Sports and Entertainment said: “This is a great beginning to a league sport which has been invented by an India. It is a proud moment for us as we take this sport to an international level while creating more awareness about the game. We aim to conduct this league around Asia, with two seasons in a year. We are also aiming to make one of the top three leagues to be played in the country. We all are excited for the final countdown in November, and I am grateful to all those who made this event a success.”
Invented by Raju Dabhade in Pune and played in over 60 countries, the indigenous sport of Roll Ball is a dynamic and exhilarating sport that combines the skills of roller skating and handball. Played by two teams, the game involves players dribbling, passing, and shooting the ball into the opponent’s goal post while on roller skates. The game tests both athleticism and strategy.
The next season of the Pro Roll Ball League is expected to take place in April-May 2024, and it will be broadcast live on television and various OTT platforms, allowing fans to immerse themselves in the thrilling matches from the comfort of their homes, the release added.
