UKL – Ultimate KARATE League shifted from Mumbai to Lucknow

UKL, ULTIMATE KARATE LEAGUE that was earlier scheduled to be held in Mumbai has been shifted to Lucknow. It shall be held from 3rd December to 12th December at Babu Banarsi Das Badminton Academy in Lucknow. These dates were announced at a Press Conference addressed jointly by Sensei Rajeev Sinha, (Chairman IPKC), Mr. Petr Suja (Director, World Body) and Mr. Jiri Kocandrle (Observer).

Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state of India, has dramatically changed over the past few years and Lucknow is emerging as a major Sports hub with substantial support from the government. This has influenced the decision of shifting the event to Lucknow, added IPKC Chairman Sensei Rajeev Sinha.

Format
While all the combat sports of the World have Individual matches, UKL is a unique match format that has changed the individual sport into a Team Sport where one player is pitched against three opponents. There are three sets and each set consists of 9 bouts. The three sets of matches are completed in 45 minutes including slow-motion and commercial breaks. Only the knockdown by combination of techniques register a score.

Each of the team consists of 5 male and 1 female players. In the event of an equalizer, the women’s individual match decides the final result.

Teams
UKL Ultimate Karate League has SIX (6) franchise based teams with each team having World Champions and European Champions as Marquee players. Each Team consists of five male and one female athlete.

1. UP Rebels
2. Delhi Bravehearts
3. Mumbai Ninjas
4. Punjabi Fighters
5. Bengaluru Kings
6. Pune Samurai

Live Telecast
All the matches shall be telecast LIVE on multiple platforms across the world for two (2) hours everyday from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Match Schedule
Kickstarting on 3rd December 2021 in Lucknow, the UKL shall have 19 matches in total as per the following schedule.

Foreign Dignitaries
In addition to the Foreign players, UKL in Lucknow is likely to be attended by a number of foreigndignitaries including senators and ministers from European countries.

“The main purpose of establishing UKL was to trigger an aspirational-connect amongst the existingand future karate practitioners. It is noteworthy that there are over 4 crore practitioners of karatearound the country who pay to learn and compete. With UKL in place, we expect a steep rise in itsfollowing in India” said Sensei Sinha, Chairman of Indian Professional Karate Council (IPKC). Hefurther thanked UP Government and UP Badminton Association for their support to the upcomingevent.

Successful hosting of the League shall help Lucknow to win the hosting right of 2024 WorldChampionship, said World Body Director Mr. Petr Suja.