The Legal Strategist of the Game : How Lawyer Isheta T. Batra Engineered UPKL’s Rise as a Kabaddi Powerhouse

As kabaddi steps into the spotlight of India’s professional sports scene, the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) is emerging as a pioneering example of how grassroots sports can evolve into structured commercial ecosystems. Behind its legal and operational strength stands Isheta T Batra — a name central to UPKL’s transformation.

At the centre of that structure is Isheta T. Batra, Founder of TrailBlazer Advocates, a boutique law firm specializing in Corporate, Sports, Media, and Intellectual Property law. Since UPKL’s inception, Isheta has been the driving force behind the League’s legal operations, creating a framework that balances commercial vision with legal compliance, sporting integrity, and brand protection.

Laying the Legal Foundation: From Chaos to Clarity

When UPKL launched, the goal was not just to conduct matches but to build a sustainable league. Isheta played a central role in turning that vision into reality. From athlete and franchise agreements to governance protocols, she built the League’s legal foundation from scratch—ensuring that every stakeholder operated within a clear, fair, and enforceable structure.

Her contracts covered critical areas such as player welfare, termination clauses, revenue sharing, incentive structures, and dispute resolution. She also introduced standard compliance tools like anti-doping policies, ethical codes of conduct, and a comprehensive League Rulebook, bringing structure and credibility to a format that straddles both sport and entertainment.

⁠Intellectual Property Protection: Safeguarding the Soul of the League

Recognizing that a strong IP portfolio is the cornerstone of modern sports leagues, Isheta proactively protected UPKL’s brand. She registered trademarks for logos, teams, and slogans, and secured copyrights for media and digital content. Her IP enforcement strategies positioned the League to confidently engage in merchandise, licensing, and media monetization—turning creativity into commercial capital.

⁠Strategic Media and Digital Rights Management: Powering UPKL’s Reach

In an era driven by digital consumption, Isheta built a legal roadmap for UPKL’s media success. She structured and negotiated media rights, streaming agreements, and broadcast licenses—ensuring legal compliance while maximizing revenue. Her foresight extended to data privacy protections, aligning with India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act to secure fan trust.

⁠Upholding Integrity and Fair Play: Building Trust on and off the Mat

In sports, trust is everything. Isheta implemented robust mechanisms to uphold league integrity. These included anti-doping measures, anti-corruption policies, and clear ethical codes. Her legal interventions support a competitive environment where fairness isn’t just expected—it’s enforced.

Season 2: Scaling Up with Strategy

With the success of its inaugural season, UPKL returned for Season 2 with bigger ambitions — more teams, a broader fan base, and enhanced production value. But with expansion comes complexity, and ensuring legal robustness across every moving part is critical. From negotiating new sponsorships to managing cross-platform media rights, the stakes — and the scale — have grown significantly. Isheta continues to oversee critical legal areas such as digital streaming agreements, athlete image rights, and franchise accountability.

Vision for UPKL’s Future: Legal Foundations for a National Kabaddi Revolution

For Isheta, UPKL isn’t just a sporting event—it’s a national movement in the making. Her legal vision—rooted in structure, protection, and innovation—positions UPKL for long-term success, brand expansion, and national pride. With legal infrastructure supporting every facet, UPKL is well on its way to becoming a transformative force in Indian sports. And at the heart of that legal engine, sits Isheta T. Batra—a true guardian of the game.