The sporting spirit of India’s security forces is on full display in Jammu as the2nd All-India Police Kabaddi Cluster 2025–26 officially kicked off on Sunday, March 8. Organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the week-long extravaganza has transformed the city into a hub for elite departmental athletics, running from March 7 to 12.
Inaugurated by former Director General of Police Ashok Bhan at the Maulana Azad Stadium, the event serves as a premier national platform for police athletes to demonstrate their physical prowess and tactical discipline.
Tournament at a Glance
The cluster is massive in scale, bringing together personnel from state police departments and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs).
- Total Athletes: 1,648 (1,071 men and 577 women).
- Total Delegation: 1,798 (including NADA officials, technical staff, and team managers).
- Core Disciplines: While Kabaddi is the titular attraction, the cluster also features high-level competitions in Kho-Kho, Fencing, and Gymnastics.
- Key Participants: Teams from BSF, CRPF, SSB, CISF, ITBP, RPF, and Assam Rifles are competing alongside all State and Union Territory police organizations.
Leadership and Venues
Under the guidance of Organizing Secretary and ADGP (Armed J&K) Anand Jain, the competitions are being spread across multiple venues in Jammu to accommodate the high volume of matches. The event is being held under the aegis of the All-India Police Sports Control Board, ensuring international-standard officiating and anti-doping protocols.
“The event aims to promote sportsmanship, fitness, and camaraderie among police forces while providing a national platform for police athletes to showcase their talent.” — J&K Police Spokesman
Unlike standalone championships, the “Cluster” format allows the police forces to celebrate multiple indigenous and Olympic sports simultaneously. This year’s inclusion of Gymnastics and Fencing highlights the evolving athletic profile of India’s internal security personnel, moving beyond traditional contact sports to technical and agility-based disciplines.
As the tournament progresses toward the finals on March 12, the Maulana Azad Stadium is expected to see intense competition, particularly in the Men’s and Women’s Kabaddi categories, which feature several players who have previously represented their states at the Senior Nationals.
