Mumbai: In a strategic leadership move to power its next phase of growth, SJ Uplift Kabaddi Private Limited has announced the elevation of Simran Malik to Chief Operating Officer (COO). Previously the Head of Marketing, Simran has been pivotal in establishing the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) as a vibrant force in India’s regional sports landscape, especially through grassroots engagement and operational excellence.
In her new role, Simran will be responsible for overseeing franchise relations, logistics, matchday execution, and internal process optimization to drive seamless operations. She will also spearhead the rollout of UPKL Season 2 and play a leading role in the World Super Kabaddi League (WSKL). Her responsibilities will extend to managing infrastructure, broadcast partnerships, and youth development programs that are central to SJ Uplift Kabaddi’s long-term vision.
Sambhav Jain, Director and Founder, SJ Uplift Kabaddi, said, “From playing a key role in shaping Season One to now leading Season Two, Simran’s rise reflects her instrumental contributions, steady growth, and trusted stewardship through every phase of our journey. She has consistently demonstrated clarity, commitment, and leadership in the role she has taken on. As we enter a progressive phase of growth and structure, her elevation reflects the company’s trust in her leadership and our shared ambition for the future.”
Simran Malik, Chief Operating Officer (COO), SJ Uplift Kabaddi, added, “This promotion marks a meaningful milestone in my journey with SJ Uplift Kabaddi. I’m grateful to Mr. Sambhav Jain for his trust and mentorship. I’m equally thankful to my team—their dedication is the foundation of everything we are building. Our belief is simple: when the team grows, we all grow. As we build a next generation sports ecosystem rooted in regional passion and global ambition, I’m excited to lead new projects like UPKL Season 2 and support WSKL. By unifying operations, we are expanding leagues into new markets, enhancing every match experience, and forging partnerships across continents. I also hope to inspire more women to take leadership roles in the sports industry, because when diversity grows, the ecosystem thrives. Our mission: to transform kabaddi from a regional sport into a global phenomenon, one fan, one league, one market at a time.”
Simran’s appointment strengthens SJ Uplift Kabaddi’s operational backbone and signals its commitment to becoming a driving force in regional sports development while taking Indian-origin sports like kabaddi to international platforms.
