Iran men’s national kabaddi team has arrived in Islamabad for a joint training camp with Pakistan as both teams prepare for major international competitions. The camp, organised at the invitation of the Pakistan Kabaddi Federation, will provide valuable match practice and tactical preparation ahead of the 2026 Asian Games.
Iran kabaddi team will train alongside Pakistan at Rodham Hall in the Pakistan Sports Complex. The camp is scheduled to continue until August 27 and will give both sides an opportunity to test their squads against strong opposition.
Iran Prepare for the Asian Games
Iran enter the Islamabad kabaddi training camp with a strong record in Asian kabaddi. They won the men’s kabaddi gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games and finished with silver at the 2023 Asian Games.
The joint sessions are particularly important as Iran prepare for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi Nagoya, Japan, which will take place from September 19 to October 4.
The team will use the camp to work on combinations, improve match sharpness and test tactical plans against a quality opponent. Experienced players such as Fazel Atrachali provide important leadership and experience within the Iranian setup.
Joint Sessions Provide Real Match Practice
The Iran – Pakistan kabaddi camp will include combined tactical sessions, daily practice matches and potentially exhibition Test matches.
Such sessions can provide more value than regular training because players have to react to the speed and physical pressure of a competitive opponent.
For Iran, facing Pakistan regularly will allow the coaching staff to identify strengths and weaknesses before the Asian Games. It will also give players an opportunity to compete against a team with a different playing style.
Pakistan Test Their New Generation
The camp is equally important for Pakistan, who have made major changes to their squad. The country has selected a 16 player group containing a large number of young players.
According to Pakistan Kabaddi Federation secretary general Mohammad Sarwar, only two players from the squad that won bronze at the 2023 Asian Games remain in the current group.
That makes the camp an important test for Pakistan’s new generation. Training and playing against one of Asia’s strongest teams will give young players experience that cannot easily be replicated in domestic competitions.
Pakistan’s coaching staff includes Rahat Maqsood, Mohammad Arshad and Hamid Mukhtar.
Changing Balance in Asian Kabaddi
The camp also reflects the changing competitive landscape in international kabaddi. India and Pakistan have historically been among the strongest teams in the sport, but Iran and South Korea have emerged as major forces in recent years.
Sarwar has highlighted this changing balance and believes the new competition can help improve the overall standard of national style mat kabaddi.
For Pakistan, competing against Iran can help close the gap before the Asian Games. For Iran, the sessions provide another opportunity to prepare for the challenges of the medal rounds.
Important Preparation for International Events
The Islamabad kabaddi training camp comes at an important time for both teams. With the Asian Games approaching, every high quality training session and practice match can help coaches finalise combinations and tactical plans.
The camp also highlights the value of international cooperation in kabaddi. By sharing training facilities and playing regular practice matches, Iran and Pakistan can prepare their players for the intensity of major international kabaddi events.
For Iran kabaddi team, the immediate objective is to sharpen its squad before the Asian Games. For Pakistan, the camp offers a valuable opportunity to test a rebuilt team against one of Asia’s leading sides. Both teams will hope the experience translates into stronger performances when the Asian Games begin.
