Kabaddi is a sport loved by millions and for the first time ever, the Kabaddi World Cup will be hosted outside Asia.
Kabaddi is already established in South Asia and in the UK, there is the British Kabaddi League (BKL). But the World Cup could boost the sport globally.
The 2025 tournament will be staged in the West Midlands, a region with a large South Asian population. Prem Singh, Chief Executive of the British Kabaddi League, said: “Everyone can enjoy Kabaddi and we’re looking forward to welcoming as many people as possible to get involved, no matter their age, gender or background.
“We’ve already experienced the great hospitality of the West Midlands during the successful British Kabaddi League season this year, celebrating local teams including the Birmingham Bulls, Walsall Hunters, Wolverhampton Wolfpack and newly formed Coventry Chargers – doubtless players from these teams will be selected to play for their national team. We are thrilled that the Kabaddi World Cup will be hosted in the vibrant West Midlands, with events taking place across Wolverhampton, Walsall, Birmingham, and Coventry.
“This is not only a significant milestone for the sport but also a tremendous opportunity for the region. The tournament is expected to attract global attention, bringing economic benefits and tourism to the area.
“More importantly, it provides a platform to celebrate and champion Kabaddi, a sport deeply rooted in South Asian culture and widely played across its communities.” Kabaddi, an ancient Indian sport with a history spanning over 4,000 years, is a dynamic blend of strategy, strength and agility.
Often described as a mix of tag and wrestling, the game challenges players to cross into their opponent’s territory, tag as many opponents as possible, and return safely – all in a single breath. Rooted deeply in the rural traditions of Punjab and other South Asian regions, Kabaddi has evolved from village fields to international arenas, captivating audiences worldwide, particularly in countries with thriving South Asian communities.
Its rising popularity on the global stage reflects the spirit of unity and shared traditions among the diasporas. Hosting Kabaddi events in the UK not only highlights its growing international appeal but also serves as a tribute to its rich origins, fostering a deeper appreciation for this cultural treasure.
The 2025 Kabaddi World Cup will take place from March 17-23 in Wolverhampton, Walsall, Birmingham and Coventry. Kabaddi was a demonstration sport at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin and is a staple of the Asian Games as well as being South Asia’s fastest-growing sport.
World Kabaddi Federation president Ashok Das said: “Kabaddi has a rich heritage and the power to bring nations and communities together to enjoy the game, socialise and unite as a team.
“The West Midlands is a region that celebrates its cultural diversity and is centrally located in the UK, allowing ease of access to the competition. I expect it will be a brilliant tournament.”
The World Cup will feature men’s and women’s teams for only the second time. The first took place in Malaysia in 2019 when India won both competitions.
Men’s Draw
Group A: England, Malaysia, Poland, Cameroon.
Group B: Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Scotland, Egypt.
Group C: India, China, USA, Tanzania.
Group D: Pakistan, Taiwan, Italy, Kenya.
Women’s Draw
Group A: England, Hong Kong, Poland, Tanzania.
Group B: India, Egypt, Scotland, Kenya.
Hundreds of millions of TV viewers in Asia will watch the competition and Sally Hill, who is likely to play for England, hopes hosting a global event will boost Kabaddi’s profile.
Hill, who was involved in rugby and wrestling before taking up Kabaddi, said: “The World Cup will bring a lot of awareness to the sport in England.
“It’s very prominent in certain countries, but not so much here. It will be great for the city of Wolverhampton, which is now my hometown.
“We’ve got a pretty good draw.” Meanwhile, ex-Scotland international Sukhinder Dhillon runs Glasgow Unicorns as well as Edinburgh Eagles. He will take charge of the Scotland men’s team.
Dhillon said: “I’ve got a very strong team ready to perform.
“We need to show people where Scotland stand on the international stage. Some of the teams coming are amazing. Our aim is to get out of the group. Anything beyond that is a bonus.”
For the past three years, the British Kabaddi League has been held across Scotland and England. Ashok Das has been spearheading Kabaddi’s growing popularity in the UK and globally, with World Kabaddi now having more than 50 member countries.
He said: “It is a dream come true to see the Kabaddi World Cup come to the West Midlands.
“I hope new audiences discover the excitement of Kabaddi, but on a personal level, it’s a way for me to give something back to my community here. I know how much people with South Asian family origins will appreciate seeing part of their culture being brought to the world stage.”
The West Midlands Combined Authority, through its official investment, promotion and destination management organisation, the West Midlands Growth Company, will support the event to ensure its impact is felt across the region and the UK. The 2025 Kabaddi World Cup has received £500,000 of funding from the government’s Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund, which was approved by the West Midlands Combined Authority.
City of Wolverhampton Council Leader Stephen Simkins said: “We are thrilled to announce the official launch of the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup in Wolverhampton!
“We look forward to welcoming men’s and women’s teams from around the globe and hosting the games in our vibrant city. Hosting the Kabaddi World Cup is a tremendous opportunity for Wolverhampton, putting our city on the map as a premier destination for visitors while also fostering a sense of pride and excitement among our residents.
“We are grateful for the support of our partners, including England Kabaddi and Scotland Kabaddi, whose collaboration has been instrumental in securing this event. We also look forward to working with all organisations involved to use the World Cup as a catalyst for introducing Kabaddi into more schools, colleges, and universities across the West Midlands, inspiring our young and diverse population to become more physically active and engaged in sport.
“This is a momentous occasion, and we can’t wait to share the excitement with our community and visitors from around the world.” The Kabaddi World Cup has partnered with Sporting Equals, which could inspire more people to get into the sport.
Nik Trivedi, Director of Development at Sporting Equals, said: “Sporting Equals is delighted to announce its role as the official charity partner for the Kabaddi World Cup 2025.”
“This partnership reflects our ongoing collaboration with the British Kabaddi League (BKL) to promote the sport within the UK, enhancing its visibility and fostering greater recognition. Over the years, we have worked tirelessly to support Kabaddi as a dynamic, inclusive sport that resonates with diverse communities, particularly those of South Asian heritage.
“At Sporting Equals, we are committed to driving social change through sports by addressing inequalities and encouraging participation from underrepresented groups. This partnership aligns perfectly with our mission, as Kabaddi represents a sport that breaks barriers, unites communities, and fosters inclusivity.
“Together with BKL and other stakeholders, we aim to ensure that the Kabaddi World Cup leaves a lasting legacy by inspiring more people to engage with the sport, empowering communities, and showcasing the transformative power of sports in building stronger, more cohesive societies.” Professor Ebrahim Adia, Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer, University of Wolverhampton, added: “The University of Wolverhampton is delighted to be the exclusive Higher Education partner for the Kabaddi World Cup 2025 and a host venue both for the World Cup fixtures and the Kabaddi World Cup launch event.
“As an anchor institution in Wolverhampton and with extensive links in India, we are proud to commit to such a historic sporting event that centres on inclusion and engaging our staff, students and local communities.” The 2025 Kabaddi World Cup presents a golden opportunity to elevate the sport’s global profile and cement its status as a dynamic, inclusive, and culturally rich game.
By hosting the tournament in the West Midlands, a region known for its diversity and strong South Asian community, Kabaddi can reach new audiences while deepening its connection with those who cherish its traditions. This event has the potential to transform Kabaddi into a truly global phenomenon.
Only time will tell if the momentum generated by the World Cup will translate into sustained growth, but one thing is certain - the sport’s journey to greater prominence is well underway.
