The Indian Wrestling League Will Launch In Early '13 And Will Mimic IPL Format

India's wrestling federation Friday announced its plan to launch the Indian Wrestling League early next year, according to THE HINDU. The new league has been jointly created by the Wrestling Federation of India and Leisure Sports Management. The IWL is based on the format of the successful Indian Premier League and will start with six city-based franchises. IWL Commissioner and Chair G.S. Mander said, "The IWL will be held in January and February next year." The franchises are "likely to be based" at Sonepat, Pune, Ludhiana/Patiala, Delhi, Nandini Nagar (Gonda, U.P.) and Patna. Each team will include "some star wrestlers from India and abroad" and will play 10 home-and-away matches. Mander said, "There will be seven weight categories in male and female wrestling. Each team will have seven male and female wrestlers. Two from each section will be foreigners" (THE HINDU, 9/1).