The Junior Boys State Kabaddi Championship 2026 showcased some of the brightest young kabaddi players in Manipur, giving them an opportunity to compete at a high level and impress state selectors. Organized under the Manipur State Kabaddi Association, the tournament once again highlighted the importance of grassroots competitions in developing the next generation of Indian kabaddi stars.
The championship not only crowned a deserving winner but also served as an important step for players hoping to earn selection for the upcoming Junior National Championship later this year.
Venue and Tournament Details
The Junior Boys State Kabaddi Championship 2026 was held at the SLYO Ground in Tekcham under the supervision of the Manipur State Kabaddi Association.
Teams from across the state participated in the competition, with every match featuring exciting raids, strong defensive performances, and close contests. The tournament officially concluded on July 5, 2026, after several days of competitive kabaddi.
The championship provided young players with valuable match experience while allowing coaches and selectors to identify promising talent for future state and national teams.
Opening Day Highlights
The opening day of the Youth Kabaddi Tournament set the stage for an exciting championship as participating teams displayed plenty of energy and determination.
Players impressed with fearless raiding, disciplined defending, and quick teamwork, reflecting the growing standard of junior kabaddi in Manipur. The early matches also showed how evenly matched many of the teams were, creating excitement for the knockout stages that followed.
The tournament continued to gather momentum throughout the week, leading to several thrilling encounters.
VETO Clinch the State Title
The standout performers of the tournament were VETO, Laphupat Tera, who completed a dominant campaign to lift the championship trophy.
In a closely contested final, VETO defeated AMDASCAM, Lilong Atoukhong by 29-27. Both teams defended exceptionally well, but VETO held their nerve during the closing moments to secure the title.
Earlier in the semi finals, VETO produced one of the most dominant performances of the tournament by defeating SAM, Kumbi 68-21.
AMDASCAM reached the final after edging past hosts SLYO, Tekcham in a thrilling 33-30 victory.
SLYO bounced back in the third place playoff with an impressive 57-35 win over SAM to finish the tournament on a positive note.
Road to the Junior National Championship
The Junior Boys State Kabaddi Championship 2026 also plays a major role in selecting players for higher level competitions.
Strong performances during the state championship are expected to influence team selections for the 52nd Junior National Kabaddi Championship, which is scheduled to take place in Bihar from September 24 to September 27 under the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India.
The national competition will bring together the best junior players from across the country, giving them another opportunity to showcase their talent against stronger opposition.
Importance of the Youth Kabaddi Tournament
Events like this Youth Kabaddi Tournament continue to strengthen India’s kabaddi development system.
Young athletes gain valuable competitive experience, while coaches can monitor future stars capable of progressing to senior state teams and eventually the Pro Kabaddi League.
The success of the Manipur championship once again demonstrated the state’s strong contribution to Indian kabaddi. With exciting young talent emerging every season, competitions like these remain essential for building the future of the sport and preparing players for bigger challenges at the national level.
