Kabaddi in Tamil Nadu

Overview

Governing body: AKFI
Origin: Ancient India
Olympic discipline: No
Category: Team
Total players listed: …

Kabaddi is one of India's most-followed disciplines. The AKFI oversees national federation activity, talent identification and Olympic qualification pathways. Major support flows in through TOPS and Khelo India for athletes who clear federation benchmarks.

Kabaddi is not currently on the Olympic programme, but it sits firmly inside India's broader sporting ecosystem. The discipline receives support through the Khelo India movement, multi-sport events such as the National Games and Asian Games trials wherever the sport is contested, and dedicated league or championship structures run by the federation. Sponsorship, broadcast deals and private academies often fill the gap that direct government funding leaves, and several state governments offer cash awards, government jobs and land grants to medallists at the National Games and recognised world championships.

As a team sport, Kabaddi in India is built around a club, district and state structure that culminates in national-level inter-state competition. State associations affiliated to the AKFI run age-group leagues from under-14 upwards, with the strongest pools historically coming from states with established grassroots infrastructure. Franchise leagues — where they exist — sit on top of this pyramid and have transformed athlete earnings, broadcast visibility and the professionalisation of coaching and support staff. School and college tournaments under SGFI and AIU remain the primary discovery route for players who do not come through a private academy.

At the grassroots, the route into Kabaddi typically starts at school under the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), at the inter-university level under the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), or through a private academy registered with the state association. The Khelo India Youth Games and Khelo India University Games are the largest single discovery platforms — athletes who reach the podium at these events become eligible for the Khelo India Talent Development scheme, which funds boarding, coaching, kit, education and a monthly stipend at accredited centres. State sports awards and central government jobs under the sports quota remain a powerful incentive for athletes from smaller towns.

Kabaddi originated in Ancient India, and in India it has developed a distinct character shaped by the country's geography, demographics and sporting culture. Whether you want to compete, coach, sponsor, write about or simply follow Kabaddi, the practical starting point is the same: connect with your state association under the AKFI, identify the nearest SAI centre or accredited academy, and track the Khelo India and federation calendars for the events that decide selection at every level. Homegrown contact sport made global by the Pro Kabaddi League.

History

How kabaddi evolved globally and took root in India.

Kabaddi traces its modern origins to Ancient India. Codified rules, standard equipment and international competition took shape as the sport spread beyond its birthplace, and AKFI is the body that carried it into organised Indian competition.

In India, kabaddi grew through princely-state patronage, defence-service teams, universities and state associations. Post-independence, the discipline was formalised under AKFI, national championships were instituted, and the Sports Authority of India (SAI) later brought it into the centralised high-performance system with dedicated centres, coaching cadres and sports-science support.

Kabaddi sits outside the Olympic programme but is firmly part of India's Asian Games, Commonwealth and National Games map, with state governments backing medallists through cash awards, jobs and land grants.

Indian Players

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Rules

Two opposing sides contest a fixed-duration match on a marked field or court, with officials enforcing possession, out-of-play, foul and scoring rules published by the international federation. Teams field a set number of players plus substitutes, age and gender categories are strictly separated, and match officials use video review at the top level. India follows the international rulebook adopted by the national federation, with domestic tweaks for age-group and school competition durations.

Authoritative rulebook: AKFI. Age-group and school-level variations are published by SGFI and the state associations each season.

Positions

Key roles, events or positions inside a kabaddi squad or competition.

Attackers / forwards
Primary scorers who operate closest to the opposition goal or scoring zone.
Midfielders / all-rounders
Link play between defence and attack; usually the highest work-rate positions.
Defenders
Deny the opposition space and possession in the defensive third.
Goalkeeper / last line
Specialist stopper with distinct kit and rules; the final line of defence.
Captain & vice-captain
On-field leadership, decision-making and communication with match officials.

Equipment

Standard kit and infrastructure required to train and compete in kabaddi at a federation-recognised event.

Match ball or puck to the federation's specification
Team playing kit, warm-up gear and studded/turf footwear
Personal protective equipment where the sport requires it (shin guards, mouthguard, helmet, pads)
Training equipment: cones, agility ladders, GPS vests, video analysis rig
Field or court markings, goals/nets and match-officials' equipment

Governing body

National federation

AKFI

AKFI is the recognised national body for Kabaddi in India. It sets the domestic calendar, selection norms, coaching curriculum and anti-doping compliance, and is affiliated to the international federation for kabaddi. State associations under AKFI run age-group competition and feed the national talent pipeline.

Origin: Ancient India
Olympic: No
Category: Team

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Major Indian Events

Domestic championships, Khelo India events, National Games and franchise leagues that shape the kabaddi calendar in India.

AKFI Senior National Championship
The primary domestic kabaddi title and the main selection trial for the senior India team.
AKFI Junior & Sub-Junior National Championship
Age-group nationals that feed the Khelo India Talent Development scheme and the senior camp.
Khelo India Youth Games & University Games — Kabaddi
India's largest multi-sport scouting platform; medallists become eligible for KIA stipends and boarding at accredited centres.
National Games of India — Kabaddi
Quadrennial multi-sport meet contested by state teams; state governments give cash awards, jobs and land grants to medallists.

International Events

Continental and world-level competitions where India competes in kabaddi.

Asian Games & Asian Championships
Continental championship pathway sanctioned by AKFI; medallists receive central and state cash awards.
Commonwealth Games / Championships
Commonwealth-level competition where India regularly fields medal contenders in kabaddi.
World Championships
The senior world title event of the international federation — the peak of the kabaddi calendar outside the Olympic year.

Leagues

No dedicated professional league is currently catalogued for kabaddi. The national championship under AKFI remains the top domestic competition.

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International Players

Globally recognised kabaddi athletes to know outside India.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)
8-time Ballon d'Or; 2022 World Cup winner.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
5-time Ballon d'Or; Euro 2016 champion.
Kylian Mbappé (France)
2018 World Cup winner; multiple Ligue 1 top scorer.
Erling Haaland (Norway)
Manchester City forward; Premier League Golden Boot.
Manuel Neuer (Germany)
2014 World Cup-winning goalkeeper; Bayern Munich legend.

Records

Where to find India's official kabaddi record book.

Olympic medalsN/A
Kabaddi is not on the Olympic programme, so India records this discipline through Asian Games, Commonwealth, World and Continental championships instead.
Asian Games medalsTracked
India's Asian Games results in kabaddi are compiled by the Indian Olympic Association and the AKFI.
Commonwealth medalsTracked
Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth Championship medals in kabaddi are maintained by the AKFI.
World Championship medalsTracked
Senior, junior and youth World Championship medal records are held by the international federation for kabaddi and mirrored by AKFI.
National record holdersFederation register
AKFI publishes the current senior, junior and sub-junior national records and updates them after every ratified event.

Career Options

Ways to build a career in kabaddi — on the field, on the sidelines and behind the scenes.

Professional player in a domestic franchise league, state team or overseas club
Coach at grassroots, state, national or franchise level (federation-certified)
Match official — referee, umpire, video review, technical delegate
Sports science support — strength & conditioning, physiotherapy, nutrition, video analyst
Sports management, broadcast, journalism, commentary and creator careers
Government-quota jobs in Railways, defence, police, PSUs and state services for state and national representatives

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Related academies

11 listed

Balasaheb Thackeray Sports ComplexState
Mumbai, Maharashtra · Since 2014
BMC-run multi-sport facility in suburban Mumbai with elite training tracks.
Indian Railways Sports Promotion BoardElite
New Delhi, Delhi · Since 1928
Departmental sports body that fields India's most successful multi-sport contingents.
Air India Sports Promotion BoardNational
Mumbai, Maharashtra · Since 1972
Long-standing departmental sports body across multiple disciplines.
CRPF Sports AcademyNational
Gurugram, Haryana · Since 1980
Central Reserve Police Force's multi-sport training centre.
Punjab Sports SchoolState
Jalandhar, Punjab · Since 1962
Punjab's flagship residential sports school for school-age athletes.
Rajasthan Sports SchoolState
Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan · Since 1986
Rajasthan's residential sports school for talented young athletes.
Bihar State Sports AcademyState
Rajgir, Bihar · Since 2022
Bihar's new multi-sport residential complex at the Rajgir Sports University.
Chhattisgarh State Sports AcademyState
Raipur, Chhattisgarh · Since 2008
State sports authority's central residential academy at Raipur.
Haryana Kabaddi AcademyElite
Hisar, Haryana · Since 2010
Haryana's elite residential kabaddi academy, producing Pro Kabaddi stars.
Maharashtra State Kabaddi AcademyState
Pune, Maharashtra · Since 2015
Maharashtra's central kabaddi pathway with PKL feeder programmes.
Punjab Circle-Style Kabaddi AcademyState
Amritsar, Punjab · Since 2005
Punjab's traditional circle-style kabaddi academy with national champion alumni.

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Government Schemes

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Central and state schemes that fund training, stipends and awards for kabaddi athletes and academies.

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FAQs

Common questions about kabaddi in India.

Who governs Kabaddi in India?▾

AKFI is the recognised national federation for Kabaddi in India. State associations under AKFI run age-group and state-level competition and feed the national talent pipeline.

Is Kabaddi an Olympic sport?▾

Kabaddi is not currently on the Olympic programme, but India competes at Asian Games, Commonwealth Games (where recognised), World Championships and other continental events sanctioned by AKFI.

How do I start playing Kabaddi in India?▾

Join a school team under SGFI, a college team under AIU, or a private academy affiliated to your state association. From there, age-group state championships and Khelo India events are the standard route into the national pipeline.

What government schemes support Kabaddi athletes?▾

The core schemes are Khelo India (talent development stipends, scholarships and boarding at accredited centres), TOPS (funding for elite athletes preparing for the Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games), and state-government cash awards, jobs and land grants for medallists. Federation-specific schemes may also apply.

Where can I train for Kabaddi?▾

Sports Authority of India (SAI) national centres of excellence, Khelo India accredited academies, state sports institutes and private academies registered with the state association are the standard training venues. The Academies section on this page lists options.

How are Indian Kabaddi athletes selected for international events?▾

AKFI runs selection trials — typically the senior national championship, a dedicated trial event, or ranking-based selection — and publishes the selection policy each season. Objective criteria (times, distances, ranking points, weight-class results) dominate at the elite level.

Kabaddi in every state & UT

Dedicated pages for Kabaddi in each Indian state and Union Territory — academies, schemes, athletes and how to start.

Kabaddi