The Pakistan Army has reclaimed its status as the premier force in national kabaddi, securing the Inter-Departmental National Kabaddi Championship 2026 title. In a high-octane final held on April 17, the Army squad delivered a tactical masterclass to defeat the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) with a decisive 41–31 scoreline.
The four-day tournament brought together the most elite institutional teams in the country, showcasing the raw power and strategic depth of traditional circle-style kabaddi.
The championship match was an electrifying display of “raid and tackle” maneuvers. While the Air Force side remained competitive through the first half, the Pakistan Army’s superior conditioning and disciplined defensive lines eventually wore down their opponents.
Podium Finishers and Standings
The competition for the bronze medal was equally fierce, as the two remaining powerhouses faced off in the third-place playoff.
| Rank | Team | Notable Performance |
| Gold | Pakistan Army | Unbeaten throughout the tournament. |
| Silver | Pakistan Air Force | Reached the final with dominant wins over WAPDA and Police. |
| Bronze | WAPDA | Defeated HEC 39–21 in the third-place playoff. |
Participating Departments: Army, PAF, Police, WAPDA, Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), Higher Education Commission (HEC), and Airport Security Force (ASF).
Closing Ceremony & Recognition
The event concluded with a prestigious awards ceremony attended by high-ranking government and military officials.
- Chief Guest: Rana Sanaullah, Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination, presented the trophies to the winning teams.
- Official Remarks: The minister emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting traditional sports, noting that kabaddi remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s rural and institutional sporting heritage.
- Dignitaries: Col. Nabeel Ahmed Rana, Secretary of the Army Fitness and Sports Directorate, was also in attendance to celebrate the institutional success.
In unrelated news occurring during the tournament period, police in Jhelum successfully neutralized a gunman following an attack on Engineer Mirza. Law enforcement officials confirmed the attacker was shot dead on-site, ensuring no further escalation of violence in the region.
