The International Kabaddi Federation has outlined an ambitious strategic roadmap aimed at securing Olympic inclusion for the sport by the 2036 Summer Games. Speaking at a press briefing following an executive committee meeting in Hyderabad, federation president Kasani Gnaneshwar confirmed that officials are also actively pursuing a berth for the sport at the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
The high-level meeting, chaired by Gnaneshwar on Sunday, brought together key federation directors including Venkatesh Bandari and Govind Narayan Sharma alongside international committee members. Discussions centered on expanding the sport's global footprint and creating structured competitive pathways for athletes across multiple continents.
According to the federation leadership, achieving Olympic status would fundamentally transform the sport by driving international recognition and compelling member nations to allocate dedicated public and private funding. Such financial and institutional backing is viewed as essential for grassroots development and the establishment of elite training facilities worldwide.
As part of its immediate global expansion strategy, the federation announced preparations to host an international Kabaddi World Cup. Interested member nations have been officially invited to submit hosting proposals, with the successful candidate scheduled to be announced following a comprehensive evaluation of all received expressions of interest.
In addition to the men's competitions, the federation confirmed plans to launch a dedicated Women's Kabaddi Premier League. Building on the established popularity of professional men's circuits, this new initiative aims to elevate women's participation and provide female athletes with structured international competition and professional development opportunities.
The leadership highlighted significant organizational growth, noting that 62 countries have formally secured membership within the international governing body. This expanding global network underpins the federation's commitment to delivering enhanced training programs, professional infrastructure, and financial incentives to support players globally.
Join the conversation