Naveen Kumar Goyat used to play kabaddi in his childhood to escape studying, and today, that decision has paid off. Pro Kabaddi League team Haryana Steelers has paid Rs 1.2 crore for him to play in this year's edition.
The Asian Games gold medallist doesn’t regret his childhood decision, as the sport has given him both fame and financial stability. Goyat was born to a bus driver and has seen poverty up close. He hails from Bhaini Kungar village in the Bhiwani district of Haryana.
"My father is a (bus) driver. He is with his vehicle (Haryana Roadways bus) day and night. I wouldn't meet him for days when I was a child. He comes home once a week, that too at night, and leaves early in the morning," Goyat, who is playing for Haryana Steelers in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12, told PTI in an interview.
Naveen recalls a time when his family didn’t even have their own place and was forced to live in a small rented house. Even then, his father did everything within his means to provide Goyat with what he needed. The 25-year-old says his father would save money for his diet and pamper him by buying expensive things.
Naveen told PTI that PKL has changed life for him and for other players in the league. He now owns a house and a car, and his financial condition has improved significantly.
"Whatever I am now is because of my father. He has always done a lot for me," Goyat said, appearing a tad emotional, as reported by PTI.
A reluctant student, a dedicated athlete
The 25-year-old star raider admitted that he was never fond of studies as a child and turned to kabaddi mainly to avoid academics.
"I chose kabaddi because it is the only sport played in my village. I was not good in studies. I thought I should play kabaddi to save myself from studies," said Goyat told PTI, who now holds a BA degree from IGNOU, Delhi.
He began playing in 2010, without knowing that kabaddi could one day offer fame or financial returns. "At that time, I did not even know what is Asian Games or Olympics. There was no PKL then. I started playing just to avoid studying," he added.
PKL transformed his journey
Goyat’s professional kabaddi journey took a major turn in 2018 when he was picked by Dabang Delhi for Season 6 of the PKL. He stayed with the team until 2025, when Haryana Steelers acquired him for Rs 1.2 crore in the league’s latest auction.
The 12th season of the PKL began recently in Visakhapatnam. According to Goyat, the league has played a major role in elevating not just individual careers but also the stature of the sport.
"In 2014, PKL came and people started getting money. Kabaddi is getting popular and PKL has played a big role in that. Kabaddi players from all over the world come here. We learn from them and they also learn from us," he said.
"My financial condition has changed. It is much better now. We now have our own house and a car. Life has changed. It's because of PKL, not for me only but for most of the players in the league," he added.
Surjeet Singh Narwal another star in making
Surjeet Singh Narwall, who was bought for Rs 20 lakh in the 2025 PKL auction, holds the record for the most tackle points (443) by an Indian player in PKL history. He also leads the charts in High-5s with 34 and has represented several teams including Puneri Paltan, U Mumba, Bengal Warriors, Tamil Thalaivas, Telugu Titans, Bengaluru Bulls, and Jaipur Pink Panthers.
Hailing from Kathura village in Sonepat district of Haryana, Narwal worked his way up with minimal resources.
"Like most players from villages, the main challenge was lack of facilities. We did practice in the mud and with limited resources. But because kabaddi was such a big part of our community, we kept going," he said.
"I am the seventh player from my village to play at the Asian Games, so that environment kept me motivated," he added.
He also credited the PKL for raising the profile of kabaddi across Asia. "PKL has raised the standard of the game not only in India but also in Asia. Players from other countries, like Iran, get exposure here too," Narwal said.
(With inputs from PTI)
The Asian Games gold medallist doesn’t regret his childhood decision, as the sport has given him both fame and financial stability. Goyat was born to a bus driver and has seen poverty up close. He hails from Bhaini Kungar village in the Bhiwani district of Haryana.
"My father is a (bus) driver. He is with his vehicle (Haryana Roadways bus) day and night. I wouldn't meet him for days when I was a child. He comes home once a week, that too at night, and leaves early in the morning," Goyat, who is playing for Haryana Steelers in the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12, told PTI in an interview.
Naveen recalls a time when his family didn’t even have their own place and was forced to live in a small rented house. Even then, his father did everything within his means to provide Goyat with what he needed. The 25-year-old says his father would save money for his diet and pamper him by buying expensive things.
Naveen told PTI that PKL has changed life for him and for other players in the league. He now owns a house and a car, and his financial condition has improved significantly.
"Whatever I am now is because of my father. He has always done a lot for me," Goyat said, appearing a tad emotional, as reported by PTI.
A reluctant student, a dedicated athlete
The 25-year-old star raider admitted that he was never fond of studies as a child and turned to kabaddi mainly to avoid academics.
"I chose kabaddi because it is the only sport played in my village. I was not good in studies. I thought I should play kabaddi to save myself from studies," said Goyat told PTI, who now holds a BA degree from IGNOU, Delhi.
He began playing in 2010, without knowing that kabaddi could one day offer fame or financial returns. "At that time, I did not even know what is Asian Games or Olympics. There was no PKL then. I started playing just to avoid studying," he added.
PKL transformed his journey
Goyat’s professional kabaddi journey took a major turn in 2018 when he was picked by Dabang Delhi for Season 6 of the PKL. He stayed with the team until 2025, when Haryana Steelers acquired him for Rs 1.2 crore in the league’s latest auction.
The 12th season of the PKL began recently in Visakhapatnam. According to Goyat, the league has played a major role in elevating not just individual careers but also the stature of the sport.
"In 2014, PKL came and people started getting money. Kabaddi is getting popular and PKL has played a big role in that. Kabaddi players from all over the world come here. We learn from them and they also learn from us," he said.
"My financial condition has changed. It is much better now. We now have our own house and a car. Life has changed. It's because of PKL, not for me only but for most of the players in the league," he added.
Surjeet Singh Narwal another star in making
Surjeet Singh Narwall, who was bought for Rs 20 lakh in the 2025 PKL auction, holds the record for the most tackle points (443) by an Indian player in PKL history. He also leads the charts in High-5s with 34 and has represented several teams including Puneri Paltan, U Mumba, Bengal Warriors, Tamil Thalaivas, Telugu Titans, Bengaluru Bulls, and Jaipur Pink Panthers.
Hailing from Kathura village in Sonepat district of Haryana, Narwal worked his way up with minimal resources.
"Like most players from villages, the main challenge was lack of facilities. We did practice in the mud and with limited resources. But because kabaddi was such a big part of our community, we kept going," he said.
"I am the seventh player from my village to play at the Asian Games, so that environment kept me motivated," he added.
He also credited the PKL for raising the profile of kabaddi across Asia. "PKL has raised the standard of the game not only in India but also in Asia. Players from other countries, like Iran, get exposure here too," Narwal said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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