The quest for continental dominance has officially begun as the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), in partnership with Mashal Sports, concluded an intensive week-long conditioning program. Hosted at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Bellary from late March through early April, the camp served as a rigorous evaluation ground for 90 of the nation’s premier athletes. This pool is evenly split between 45 male and 45 female contenders, all of whom were scrutinized for their physical endurance, technical proficiency, and psychological readiness.
This initial phase in Bellary prioritized high-performance athleticism over traditional scrimmage play to ensure the players possess a world-class physical foundation. Over the coming months, coaching staff will continue to track individual progress and consistency before the final rosters are narrowed down. Ultimately, only 14 athletes from each category will earn the privilege of representing India in Japan this fall.
The Men’s preliminary roster features several high-profile names:
- Offensive Powerhouses: Pro Kabaddi League icons like Pawan Sehrawat, Naveen Kumar, and Arjun Deshwal lead the raiding department.
- Versatile Scorers: Established stars Ashu Malik and Aslam Inamdar are joined by promising newcomers such as Devank Dalal and Ayan Lohchab.
- Defensive Specialists: The backline is anchored by veteran Sunil Kumar, supported by defensive mainstays Rahul Sethpal and Gaurav Khatri.
- Dynamic All-rounders: Flexible players like Vijay Malik and Bharat Hooda provide the tactical variety essential for tournament formats.
The women’s contingent is equally formidable, centered around a core of seasoned champions like Ritu Negi and Sonali Shingate. Having secured gold in previous iterations of the Games, the women’s team is focused on maintaining their status as the dominant force in Asia. Shingate has been particularly vocal about her desire to secure a top-podium finish, driving the team’s pursuit of another gold medal to add to their historic tally.
Everything is building toward the primary competition at the Tokai City Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, scheduled for September 21–26, 2026. For the men’s squad, the upcoming tournament represents a chance at redemption and a return to the gold medal streak that was interrupted in previous years. As the selection window tightens, fans can expect further specialized camps and trial fixtures to determine who will ultimately make the trip to Nagoya.
