UWL is about marketing, finance, operations, strategy and human resource management. All
the domains of MBA are associated with this mega event and there are management lessons
to be learnt from this competition.
IIFT recognized this early on and gave their sporting event a twist of IPL and the Ultimate
Warriors League (UWL) was born. There are four teams Aryan Juggernauts, Southern
Stallions, Eastern Gladiators and Mumbai Hawks that are up for bidding. After
rounds of competitive bidding, the top four bidders get the teams. Each team then appoints
a couple of brand managers and then the war of player bidding begins. This IPL style
bidding, with an auctioneer at the helm of it, goes on for close to 7-8 hours with 150-180
players going under the hammer. Each team then gets a purse of 2000 points to buy players
and build a squad of 30 for each of the sports which includes cricket, futsal, table tennis,
badminton, sports quiz, chess, NFS, Counter-Strike etc.
It is a time on campus when boundaries are drawn and emotions run high. Friends are
divided and the foes come together as a team. Each game witnesses huge turnout in the
audiences with everyone cheering their favorite team. The brand managers at the same time
leave no stone unturned to troll the other side and you’ll find your Facebook wall painted
with this brand war. They would also try and do something unique to differentiate
themselves, like giving away free Pani Puri, using Diwali diyas and lights to promote their
brand, dhols etc. to garner support for their team. It is a mega lesson in management.
Whether you are owner, player, brand manager or mere spectator you just can’t ignore this
event on campus. It would have all the elements of a blockbuster Bollywood masala movie –
the falls, the fights, the flair and the fun. The atmosphere is absolutely electric throughout
the event and it all culminates in a truly IPL worthy party. So there’s a reason to celebrate
for everyone. If ever there was a perfect mix of sports, learning and fun – it is this The
Ultimate Warriors League.