Pakistan does not participate in the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 in Ahmedabad after its government declined to permit the national team to travel to India, International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) General Secretary Tejasvi Gehlot has confirmed.
The tournament running from October 23 to 31 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, was initially expected to feature 14 countries in the men’s competition. Pakistan’s withdrawal has reduced that number to 13.
The decision comes amid continuing political tensions between India and Pakistan, denying the Pakistani team an opportunity to compete in another major international kabaddi tournament.
Why Did Pakistan Withdraw From Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026?
Gehlot confirmed that Pakistan’s government had not authorised its athletes to travel to Ahmedabad. According to the IKF official, Indian authorities had granted the necessary permissions and organisers had completed the required documentation.
However, Pakistan subsequently informed them that its team would not attend.
“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 said.
Although the decision comes against the backdrop of strained diplomatic relations, Gehlot did not confirm the specific reason for Pakistan’s refusal.
The withdrawal follows Pakistan’s disappointing campaign at the 2026 Asian Games, where the men’s team failed to secure a kabaddi medal for the first time. With leading international teams such as Iran and Chinese Taipei absent from the Commonwealth competition, Pakistan had an opportunity to challenge for a podium finish.
Its withdrawal means the team will miss that opportunity.
India-Pakistan Political Tensions Affect Kabaddi Participation
Political tensions between India and Pakistan have repeatedly affected sporting exchanges between the two countries. Pakistan also missed the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup hosted by India, where the home team defeated Iran in the final.
Relations have remained strained following the Pahalgam terror attack and India’s Operation Sindoor.
Travel restrictions and disagreements over tournament venues have also affected other sports, including cricket.
Pakistan’s absence from the Ahmedabad championship represents another example of political circumstances limiting sporting competition between the neighbouring countries.
Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: Dates, Venue and Format
The inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship is being organised by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), with approval from the International Kabaddi Federation. Ahmedabad hosts nine days of competition featuring men’s and women’s national teams.
According to the organisers, the championship includes 23 squads and more than 400 athletes competing in 62 matches.
The schedule comprises 39 men’s matches and 23 women’s matches.
Tournament Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 |
| Edition | Inaugural |
| Dates | October 23–31, 2026 |
| Venue | Veer Savarkar Sports Complex |
| Host city | Ahmedabad, India |
| Participating countries | 13 |
| Total squads | 23 |
| Athletes | More than 400 |
| Total matches | 62 |
| Men’s matches | 39 |
| Women’s matches | 23 |
| Semifinals | October 30 |
| Finals | October 31 |
| Organiser | Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India |
| International approval | International Kabaddi Federation |
The championship will crown its first men’s and women’s Commonwealth kabaddi champions on October 31.
Which Countries Are Participating?
Following Pakistan’s withdrawal, the championship will feature 13 participating nations:
- India
- Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh
- Nigeria
- Kenya
- Tanzania
- Canada
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Uganda
- England
- Scotland
- Australia
The competition brings together teams from Asia, Africa, Europe, North America and Oceania, providing a platform for kabaddi’s development beyond its traditional strongholds.
India Name Captains for Men’s and Women’s Teams
India enter the tournament after winning gold medals in both men’s and women’s kabaddi at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The men’s team defeated Iran 40-34 in the final, while the women’s side secured a 37-34 victory over the same opposition.
India will now aim to carry that success into the inaugural Commonwealth championship.
Surjeet Singh has been named captain of India’s men’s team, with Naveen Kumar serving as vice-captain.
Nidhi Sharma will lead the women’s team, supported by vice-captain Ritu.
The hosts will be among the leading contenders for both titles.
Ahmedabad Tournament Supports Commonwealth Games Ambitions
The championship is also part of a broader effort to strengthen kabaddi’s case for inclusion in the Commonwealth Games. Gehlot explained that Ahmedabad was selected because of its connection to the Commonwealth sporting movement.
“You will see a lot of countries participating in this tournament here. Because Ahmedabad is a Commonwealth host city, it was the perfect venue for us to come back and hold the Commonwealth Championship here. So, to get included as a medal event for the next games, we needed to come to Ahmedabad. This is the first-ever Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship, and the reason for doing it is that, you know, there are five criteria that we have to fulfil to include any sport or game in CWG,” he said.
Ahmedabad is scheduled to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, making the championship an opportunity to demonstrate the city’s ability to stage international kabaddi competitions.
The event is intended to expand participation among Commonwealth nations and support the sport’s long-term ambitions.
However, hosting the championship does not automatically guarantee kabaddi’s inclusion in a future Commonwealth Games programme.
Organisers Unveil Championship Identity
The tournament was formally introduced at a curtain-raiser press conference, where organisers presented the official jerseys, team captains, anthem, logo and mascot.
The championship will be held under the theme “One Breath. One Raid. One Commonwealth.”
AKFI General Secretary Jitendra Pran Singh Thakur welcomed the opportunity to host the competition.
“It is a proud moment for Indian kabaddi to host the first Commonwealth Championship in Ahmedabad. We look forward to welcoming the participating teams and showcasing the spirit, skill and competitive intensity of the sport on an international stage.”
Gehlot also highlighted the tournament’s importance for kabaddi’s international development.
“The inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship marks an important step in expanding kabaddi’s international presence. Bringing national teams from across the Commonwealth together will give athletes a new platform to showcase their abilities and introduce the sport to a wider global audience.”
Pakistan’s Absence Leaves 13 Nations Competing
Pakistan’s withdrawal removes a traditional kabaddi contender from the inaugural championship. Nevertheless, the tournament will proceed with 13 participating countries and 23 men’s and women’s squads.
For India, the competition offers an opportunity to build on its double-gold performance at the Asian Games.
For the organisers, the broader objective is to establish the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship as a regular international event and strengthen the sport’s prospects of joining the Commonwealth Games.
The semifinals are scheduled for October 30, with the inaugural champions to be crowned on October 31.
