India's women and men begin their quest for the first Commonwealth kabaddi crown on Friday, facing Malaysia and England in successive matches as the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship opens at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, IANS reported.
Source: IANS via IANS Live
From October 23 to 31, 23 squads from 13 nations will contest 62 matches — 39 men's and 23 women's — starting with Kenya versus Singapore in Men's Group B. The championship is organised by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) with the approval of the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), Pro Kabaddi reported.
Source: Pro Kabaddi
Groups and India's schedule
The 13 men's teams are split into a seven-team Group A — India, Nigeria, Malaysia, Uganda, England, Tanzania and Sri Lanka — and a six-team Group B — Bangladesh, Kenya, Canada, Australia, Scotland and Singapore. The 10 women's teams play in two groups of five, with India alongside Singapore, Nigeria, Uganda and Malaysia in Group A.
Captain Surjeet Singh and vice-captain Naveen Kumar lead India's 14-man squad. After England on Friday, India face Uganda on October 24, Malaysia on October 25, Nigeria on October 26, Tanzania on October 27 and Sri Lanka on October 29, all at 8:30 PM. Nidhi Sharma captains India's women, with Ritu as vice-captain; after Malaysia they meet Singapore, Uganda and Nigeria, all at 6:45 PM.
13 nations, more than 400 athletes, 62 matches from October 23-31 in Ahmedabad. Semifinals on October 30, finals on October 31.
Organisers said the inaugural edition is expected to boost kabaddi's international profile and strengthen its case for inclusion in the Commonwealth Games, with Ahmedabad scheduled to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030.