I get emotional when it comes to kabaddi as I used to play the sport as a child. The feeling of watching it live helps me reconnect with the days gone by, said Venu Vulesa while his son Daniel got his cheeks painted in orange and red, the colours of his favourite team, Bengaluru Bulls.This was the environment at Bangalores Sree Kanteerava Stadium as more than 3000 people gathered to watch the citys first Pro Kabaddi match of the season, played between the home team and Telugu Titans.Seven-year-old Daniel, his cheek-painting complete, looked towards his father and said, Even I like kabaddi! The love for kabaddi, Vulesa said shyly, probably ran in the family.For a sport that rarely made a splash across the country a few years ago, kabaddi has found a foothold ever since the arrival of the Pro Kabaddi League in 2014. With slickly packaged programming on prime-time TV slots and matches lasting a convenient 40-minutes each, the PKL provided the viewers an alternative for leagues like the IPL. From a largely rural and small-town following, the PKL has made its way into playgrounds, drawing rooms and city stadiums.One of the key aspects of kabaddi is that we can relate to the game. For me, it is pure nostalgia, said Avinash, a twentysometing software engineer, who was accompanied by friends Vivek, Prashant, Suhas and Prithvi for the match. Its short and crisp, apart from being full of entertainment, added Vivek.I see wildness in the game. The energy is crazy out there. You cant help but love it, said Tejaswini, a 23-year-old following the sport since the first season of the PKL. At times, I wonder if I could learn how to play too, she smiled.Along with a strong TV presence, tickets are available on the venue box office at reasonable prices, turning the league into a mini-festival to its host cities.The kind of craze the tournament has in the city is unbelievable. I came here to understand what the game is all about and why it is attracting so many people towards it, said Bharat, who came to the game with friends Sandesh and Sudarshan.Kabaddi is not that well-understood in metro cities. Even if you look at the players that we have in the teams, you will notice that a major chunk of them hail from rural (sic) cities. It then becomes important for us to know about the games that started from our roots and are now making a mark, said Sudarshan.After the PKLs success in its first two seasons, it was announced that from 2016 onwards, the league will have two seasons in a year. The response from fans is mixed: Two seasons in a year is a little too much, is what I feel. It takes away the excitement that it has built so far. One season a year would keep the demand as well as the craze high, Vivek pointed out.Contradicting him was 25-year-old Vadiraj, who said, The promotions and the execution of the plans have been pretty good. The number of seasons doesnt matter as long as it is giving the game a much-needed push. People are finally getting connected to it. Im an avid follower of the sport, and it feels good when people finally recognize the rules and the players. While buying a Bulls jersey for his son Aditya, Venugopal said, This is a game you can watch with the family. It gives us an opportunity to bond over a desi sport. Having two seasons in a year would only make the loyalty grow.Part of the PKLs marketing strategy involves merchandising - accessible and affordable - as a way of connecting with the youth. While the official team jerseys sell for Rs. 300-750, the clones, openly sold within 100m of the official merchandise store, cost Rs. 150-200. It is why team colours can be easily spotted everywhere in the crowd at matches.I would choose it over any other sport, any day, said 14-year- old Lalasa. The presence of mind that the players showcase in such a limited time, keeps you at the edge of your seats throughout. Her classmate Devraj Chandu, however, differed with her saying, Kabaddi is great, but cricket is still the best.Once the Kanteerava guards sounded a whistle, indicating the game was set to begin, the crowd milling about outside the ground, rushed inside to get to their seats in time.Inside the stadium, all the varied opinions about the league were diluted as everyone came together to chant kabaddi kabaddi along with the players. Deafening cheers after each successful raid and defense followed by the theme song of the two teams was to suddenly bring the stadium to life. Even though the home team was beaten, the crowd continued to hoot, hoping for better days.So what if we lost today? As a fan, I believe we still have it in us to win the season, smiled 15-year-old Jhanvi Ramakrishna.Amidst it all, what won over them all was the unlikely yet deserving hero -- the game itself.Jonathan Marchessault Golden Knights Jersey . Its 1987 and a Brazilian playmaker, known as Mirandinha, is being paraded around St James Park to the passionate Newcastle fans. Reilly Smith Golden Knights Jersey . The head of USA Boxing came out swinging Tuesday with an open letter to Tyson -- a former Olympic hopeful himself -- that accuses the former heavyweight champion of trying to poach fighters who might be candidates for the U. http://www.goldenknightssale.com/authentic-deryk-engelland-golden-knights-jersey/ . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. Cody Eakin Jersey . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. Brandon Pirri Jersey . Andrew Luck lost his favourite target and the Indianapolis locker room lost one of its most revered leaders when Reggie Wayne was diagnosed Monday with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that will cost him the rest of the season.SALT LAKE CITY -- Troy Williams grew up 15 miles from Southern Californias campus but said he wasnt recruited by the Trojans despite being ranked the No. 1 dual-threat quarterback in the country by Rivals. On Friday night, the Utah quarterback showed the storied program what it missed.Williams threw for 270 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score in No. 24 Utahs 31-27 comeback victory over USC.The Utes roared back in spectacular fashion with Tim Patrick catching an 18-yard touchdown pass at the pylon with 16 seconds remaining to cap a 15-play, 93-yard drive. Patrick had his third 100-yard receiving game of the season.USC, thats my hometown, said Williams, who is from Carson, California. Growing up watching Reggie Bush, Carson Palmer and Mike Williams and all those dudes, just sitting at home watching on TV and imagining maybe one day Ill play with them or against them. Today was that day.The Trojans controlled most of the game and had a 27-17 fourth-quarter lead, but Utah (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) scored 14 straight points. Coach Clay Helton decided to punt on fourth-and-3 from the Utah 37-yard line on the possession before the winning drive. USC fell to 1/3 for the first time since 2001.I thought it was tonight, said Helton when asked about getting over the hump. Ill be honest with you. I thought the attitude and the competitiveness was great. Im heartbroken for them. If they compete like they did tonight, theyre going to win a lot of games.Utah attempted to control the game on the ground early against the No. 98 run defense in the country, but USC tightened up and forced the Utes to win through the air.USCs Sam Darnold threw for 253 yards and ran for a touchdown in his first career start after replacing Max Browne.Refused to quit, just kept fighting the entire 60 minutes, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. Made play after play affter play at the end there when we had to make plays.ddddddddddddNobody panicked. Just kept doing our thing.THE TAKEAWAYUSC: The Trojans are in serious trouble. There were already whispers that Helton was on the hot seat, but blowing a 10-point lead in the final quarter may solidify that. Darnold was an upgrade, but USC is now 0-2 in conference.UTAH: Friday was the first true test for the Utes and they passed -- barely. The run game started hot with 132 yards in the first half, but faded fast and continued to have ball-control issues with two fumbles. The defense allowed the most yards it has all season (466), but bowed up in the fourth quarter when the team absolutely needed it.INJURY UPDATEUtah starting cornerback Dominique Hatfield played in his first game of the year. Hed been sidelined with an undisclosed leg injury.The Utes lost 2015 first team All-Pac-12 tackle Lowell Lotulelei to an unknown injury before halftime and did not return.FANCYThe Utes wore new black helmets that were individually hand painted by an artist. The design mimics a granite texture and no two are identical as each has its own serial number painted on the helmet.POLL IMPLICATIONSUSC: The Trojans will continue to stay out of the poll. They didnt receive a single vote last week.Utah: The Utes could move up a couple spots depending on what happens in front of them because of a 4-0 start. A win over USC, however, wont get a lot of points from voters.QUOTABLEWatching them drive the ball down kind of crushed our soul, USC receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster said.UP NEXTUSC: The Trojans return home to host Arizona State (3-0, 0-0) in a Pac-12 South showdown Oct. 1.UTAH: The Utes travel to face California (2-1, 0-0) in Pac-12 action on Oct. 1. ' ' '