How PKL’s Intensive Referee Training is Shaping Season 12’s New Tiebreaker Era?

As the Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 moves forward, officiating has taken center stage with the league’s most comprehensive referee training program yet. Conducted in Hyderabad from August 15 to 27, the 12-day camp brought together 45 officials, including 23 newcomers, representing states across India from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra had the strongest presence with four referees each, underlining the nationwide commitment to raising officiating standards.

According to Technical Director E Prasad Rao, the increase in officials was necessary due to new rule changes and the introduction of a tiebreaker format. This format, which requires every tied match to be settled through five raids per team with no player eliminations and the baulk line doubling as the bonus line, has placed referees under greater pressure. Rao emphasized the need for precise execution, speed in decision-making, and accurate interpretation of rules, given that “every match is now a do-or-die match.”