Pakistan Out: No Travel Nod for Athletes in Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026
Pakistan athletes will miss the first-ever Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad after their government denied travel permission to India.
The inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 is set to make history in Ahmedabad, but the excitement is tempered by a significant absence. Tejasvi Gehlot, the General Secretary of the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), has confirmed that athletes from Pakistan will not be participating in the event because the Pakistani government has refused to grant them permission to travel to India.
According to Gehlot, the organizers had diligently completed all necessary paperwork and formalities to ensure the Pakistani contingent could compete. While the Indian government had given its approval and the required documentation was sent, the response from across the border was negative.
"The Pakistani government hasn't allowed their athletes to travel to our country. I don't know the reason, but our government permitted, and we sent them all the paperwork. However, we got an intimation that they won't be able to come," Gehlot stated.
The Road to the Commonwealth Games
The choice of Ahmedabad as the venue for this landmark tournament was strategic. As a Commonwealth host city, Ahmedabad provides the ideal backdrop for the IKF to push for kabaddi's inclusion as a medal event in the Commonwealth Games (CWG). Gehlot explained that there are five specific criteria that must be met for any sport to be included in the CWG, and hosting this championship is a vital step in fulfilling those requirements.
With Ahmedabad already slated to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, this tournament serves as a showcase of the city's infrastructure and its ability to manage high-profile international sporting events while introducing kabaddi to a global audience.
Tournament Details: What to Expect
Scheduled to take place from October 23 to 31 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, the championship is organized by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) with IKF approval. The event will operate under the inspiring theme: “One Breath. One Raid. One Commonwealth.”
The scale of the competition is massive:
- Participating Nations: 13 countries including India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Uganda, England, Scotland, and Australia.
- Athletes and Squads: Over 400 athletes across 23 squads.
- Match Count: A total of 62 matches, featuring 39 men's contests and 23 women's matches.
India's Leadership and the Final Stretch
During a recent curtain-raiser press conference, the official logo, mascot, anthem, and jerseys were unveiled. India, as the host and a powerhouse in the sport, has announced its leadership for the tournament:
- Men's Team: Captained by Surjeet Singh, with Naveen Kumar serving as vice-captain.
- Women's Team: Led by captain Nidhi Sharma, with Ritu as vice-captain.
Jitendra Pran Singh Thakur, General Secretary of the AKFI, expressed immense pride in hosting the event, noting that it is a momentous occasion for Indian kabaddi to showcase the skill and competitive intensity of the sport on such a prestigious international stage.
The tournament will reach its climax on October 30 with the semifinals, leading up to the grand finals on October 31, where the first-ever Commonwealth champions in both the men's and women's categories will be crowned.