Inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 begins in Ahmedabad on 23 October (till 31 October)

22-10-2026 · English

Topics: Sports · 22 October 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

The inaugural 'Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026' is being held at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad (Gujarat), from 23 to 31 October, hosted by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI). First announced for 21–31 October, the start was moved to 23 October. 13 men's and 10 women's teams take part (Pakistan withdrew). Semi-finals are on 30 October and the finals on 31 October.

Key facts

Background

• Kabaddi is a traditional Indian sport; it became a medal sport for the first time at the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, where India's men won the gold.
• Bodies: the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) governs the sport in India; the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) began in 2014. Kabaddi has never been an official Commonwealth Games medal sport, and was not at Glasgow 2026 either.
• 2030 Commonwealth Games: Ahmedabad was confirmed as host at the Commonwealth Sport General Assembly in Glasgow on 26 Nov 2025 – the centenary Games, back in India after Delhi 2010. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has proposed adding kabaddi for 2030. The first Games were the 1930 British Empire Games at Hamilton, Canada.
• Geography: Ahmedabad, Gujarat's largest city, stands on the Sabarmati river; Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram is here (the Dandi March began from it in 1930).

Tamil Nadu link: Kabaddi is the state game of Tamil Nadu. In Tamil it is also called 'Sadugudu'; the word 'kabaddi' is believed to come from the Tamil 'kai-pidi' (holding hands).

Source: Khel Now (schedule, date change, Oct 2026); MyKhel; AKFI document (indiankabaddi.org); News On AIR (26 Nov 2025); Wikipedia – Sports in Tamil Nadu

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