Patna Pirates owner Rajesh Shah's pro tips to team bosses: Be less excited, stay away from matches

The 2019 edition of the Pro Kabaddi league has come to a close. Industrialist Rajesh Shah-owned Patna Pirates did not have the best run this year, but his team remains one of the most successful ones in the league, with three wins under its belt. So, its natural for Shah to be asked for his tips and tricks on being a successful team owner.

“It (Patna Pirates) has been the champion three times out of seven seasons that have been played so far. My only tip to any team owner is to be less excited as an owner and to hand over the management to really qualified, trusted professionals and stay away from the matches because your face otherwise shows all your emotions,” Shah said.

In an earlier interview with ET Panache, the Mukand Ltd co-chairman had shared that being a sports team owner had been a long cherished dream for him and he has learnt many things as a team owner. “It’s been a great learning experience. I’ve learnt that the basic fundamental principles of management in a company apply equally in the management of a sports team,” Shah said then. For him this translates primarily into having a structure in place. “You must have a CEO, a team manager, a coach and a captain you can trust. Bring in people who can advise correctly on getting talent. And then work hard on team management,” he said earlier.


If not Kabaddi, which other sport would he back? Football has his heart then. “I think I see the potential in football so if I had to promote or be part of the excitement of growing of football, then that would be interesting for me,” Shah said, as parting words.