The Iran women kabaddi team is working to overcome a major preparation setback as the country looks ahead to the Asian Games. War-related disruption in Iran stopped regular domestic training for nearly three months, leaving the national team with limited time to prepare for one of the biggest events on the Asian sports calendar.
To rebuild their fitness and match sharpness, the Iranian team has travelled to India for a private preparation camp in Sonipat, Haryana. The squad is training at the Sports Authority of India National Centre of Excellence and Khokhar Academy with the aim of giving themselves the best possible chance of competing for a medal.
Iran Women Train in Sonipat
The Iran women kabaddi team Asian Games preparations are taking place away from public attention. The squad includes 15 players and coaching staff and has received clearance from the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India.
The team is following a demanding schedule with two closed mat sessions each day. They are also playing practice matches against local women’s academy teams to regain the intensity required for international competition.
The decision to keep the camp private has also been influenced by the difficult situation back home. Player identities have been kept away from public attention to protect their families in Iran.
War Disrupted Three Months of Preparation
The biggest challenge for the Iran women kabaddi Asian Games campaign has been the loss of valuable preparation time.
Geopolitical conflict and instability in Iran disrupted domestic training, conditioning programmes and tactical camps. The players were also dealing with communication problems and concerns about the safety of their families.
These circumstances created both physical and mental challenges for the squad. Instead of following a normal preparation programme, the players had to deal with uncertainty before eventually finding a training base in India.
The Sonipat camp has therefore become an important opportunity to rebuild the team’s confidence and fitness.
Practice Matches Help Restore Fitness
Training twice a day is only one part of the preparation. The Iranian players are also taking part in competitive practice matches against strong local Indian players.
These games are helping the squad regain match fitness after a long period without regular competition. They also provide coaches with an opportunity to assess combinations and make tactical adjustments before the Asian Games.
The arrangement benefits both sides, as Indian players get valuable experience against an international team while Iran gets the competitive practice it urgently needs.
Iran Have a Strong Asian Games Record
The Iran women kabaddi Asian Games medal hopes are supported by the team’s strong history at the competition.
At the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, Iran produced a historic performance as both the men’s and women’s teams won gold medals. The women’s team defeated India in the final to claim the title.
Iran also won a bronze medal in the women’s kabaddi event at the 2022 Asian Games, which were held in Hangzhou in 2023.
Their recent record shows that Iran remain one of the leading women’s kabaddi teams in Asia.
Gold Medal Remains the Target
Despite the difficult preparation period, the Iran women kabaddi team are not travelling to the Asian Games simply to participate. Their objective is to challenge for the gold medal and return to the top of the podium.
India and Chinese Taipei are expected to provide strong competition, but Iran’s experience and quality give them a realistic chance of making another deep run.
The Sonipat camp could prove crucial to that ambition. After months of disruption, the team now has a safe and competitive environment in which to train, rebuild its confidence and prepare for the challenge ahead.
For the Iran women kabaddi team Asian Games campaign, simply reaching the event after such a difficult period is an achievement. Turning that opportunity into a medal would make their journey even more remarkable.
