All posts tagged: Kabaddi

Indian Women win Kabaddi Gold, Men take Silver

Indian Women win Kabaddi Gold, Men take Silver

Published by Webster

India’s women’s kabaddi team clinched gold while the men settled for silver at the Asian Beach Games 2026 in Sanya on Monday. The Indian women’s team produced a dominant performance to defeat Sri Lanka 47-31 in the final, successfully defending their title and extending their unbeaten run to six consecutive editions. Led by Ritu, the six-member squad held a narrow 20-18 lead at half-time before pulling away decisively in the second half. India had earlier advanced to the final with a commanding 50-31 win over Bangladesh in the semi-finals. Alongside Ritu, the squad featured Manisha Kumari, Simran Kamboj, Manpreet Kaur, Nikita and Nikita Chauhan. Men fall short against Iran in final In the men’s competition, India finished with silver after a 44-31 defeat to Islamic Republic of Iran in the final. The Indian side, led by Brijendra Singh Choudhary, trailed 23-11 at the break and were unable to recover. The men’s team had reached the final with a convincing 50-27 victory over Pakistan in the semi-finals. The squad also included Jitendra Yadav, Yatharth Deshwal, Neeraj, …

India’s Kabaddi and Handball groups announced

India’s Kabaddi and Handball groups announced

Published by Webster

India have been placed in competitive groups across multiple disciplines following the draw for team sports at the 6th Asian Beach Games, scheduled to be held in Sanya, China, from April 22 to 30. The draw, conducted by the Sanya Asian Beach Games Organising Committee (SABGOC), covered beach soccer, beach handball and beach kabaddi events. India will feature prominently in beach handball and beach kabaddi. In the men’s beach handball competition, India have been drawn in Group A alongside China, Iran, Philippines, Hong Kong-China, Sri Lanka and Bahrain. The large group presents a demanding schedule, with multiple strong Asian teams in contention. In the women’s beach handball event, India are placed in Group B with China, Turkmenistan, Sri Lanka and Mongolia. The group includes both experienced and emerging teams, offering India a balanced but competitive pathway to the knockout rounds. In beach kabaddi, India have been drawn in Group B of the men’s competition along with Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Sri Lanka. The group appears relatively balanced, with India expected to be among the leading …

Indian Railways win men’s national title

Indian Railways win men’s national title

Published by Webster

Indian Railways secured the 72nd Senior Men’s National Kabaddi Championship Trophy on Friday at the Sama Indoor Stadium, Vadodara after beating Maharashtra 49-31 in the final. Railways, led by Sunil Kumar, prevailed over teams divided into eight pools, who played across 54 matches over the last four days. On their road to the final, the Railways beat the likes of Chandigarh and Karnataka before claiming their final victory over a strong Maharashtra team led by Aslam Inamdar. The concluding day of the tournament featured four teams in action, starting off with two semifinal games played between Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, and Indian Railways and Chandigarh respectively. After beating their respective opponents in the semifinals, Railways and Maharashtra advanced to the finals, which was dominated by the former with a strong all-round performance. Pankaj Mohite led the raiding unit with 12 raid points, while Ashu Malik, who also led Dabang Delhi K.C. to victory in PKL 12, contributed eight points. Railways’ defence complemented the raiders effectively, finishing with 14 tackle points and applying sustained pressure on …

How to position sports as a pillar of India’s multipolar diplomacy

How to position sports as a pillar of India’s multipolar diplomacy

Published by Parlour News

After Bangladesh’s newly appointed State Minister for Youth and Sports Aminul Haque signalled a desire to rebuild bilateral relations through dialogue and cooperation, a potential reset in ties between the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could be on the horizon.  In an era marked by simmering geopolitical tensions, such incidents emphasise the crucial role sports can play in building bilateral relations. Alongside sports, music and arts often emerge as a universal language that transcends national borders and battlelines. Sports, for instance, stand out for their human appeal and manifold societal, regional and global impacts. It serves as an important tool of soft power – a term coined by American political scientist Joseph Nye.  Soft power refers to a state’s ability to influence people without using coercion or force to achieve its goals. Unlike hard power, which is often projected through military strength and economic sanctions, soft power relies on the appeal of culture, values, and policies and goes a long way in developing people-to-people ties.  What …

How UPKL Season 2 redefined regional kabaddi

How UPKL Season 2 redefined regional kabaddi

Published by Webster

The thunderous slaps of thighs and the rhythmic chant of “Kabaddi, Kabaddi” echoed through the Noida Indoor Stadium this past month, signaling a revolution. The Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2 concluded recently, leaving behind a trail of broken records, newfound superstars, and a blueprint for how regional sports leagues can achieve national-standard excellence. From the expansion of the league to the emergence of generational talents, Season 2 was a massive upgrade from the inaugural season. A League in Expansion: The Power of Twelve The most visible change this year was the sheer scale of the competition. By expanding from eight to twelve franchises, the UPKL didn’t just add matches—it added a layer of professional grit. This growth, while ambitious, brought a unique set of hurdles that the organizers turned into opportunities for systemic growth. “The addition of four new franchises significantly increased the scale of UPKL, but it was a challenge we were prepared for,” organizers noted. “It pushed us to upgrade our systems, streamline communication, and operate more professionally as a league. …

Kabaddi: Haryana women crowned national champions

Kabaddi: Haryana women crowned national champions

Published by Webster

Haryana came from behind to clinch the title at the 72nd Women’s Senior National Kabaddi Championship with a narrow 39-37 victory over defending champions Indian Railways in a closely fought final at the Balayogi Stadium on Friday. The final lived up to expectations, with both teams trading momentum through the two halves. Haryana edged ahead in the closing stages to secure the win, producing a composed performance under pressure to claim the championship. Nikita once again emerged as the standout performer for Haryana, leading the scoring with 17 points through a combination of touch and bonus points. Ruchi provided strong support with nine points, while Raj Rani contributed across raids to keep Haryana in control during key phases of the match. For Indian Railways, Pooja was the top scorer with 11 points, while another strong all-round contribution came from Pooja and Sonali Shingate, who added six points each. Despite a disciplined defensive effort and a late push, Railways fell just short in a final decided by fine margins. Haryana’s road to the title featured consistent …

Kabaddi promoter Rana Balachauria’s killer shot dead in Mohali encounter

Kabaddi promoter Rana Balachauria’s killer shot dead in Mohali encounter

Published by Parlour News

Karan Pathak, alias Defaulter, the 23-year-old prime suspect in the high-profile murder of kabaddi promoter Kanwar Digvijay Singh, alias Rana Balachauria, was killed in a police encounter in Kharar on Saturday morning. Karan Pathak, alias Defaulter, 23 (left), the main accused in the murder of kabaddi promoter Kanwar Digvijay Singh, alias Rana Balachauria (right), was killed in a police encounter in Kharar, Mohali, on Saturday morning. (HT file) The shootout, which occurred around 6am, also left a police constable injured. The personnel was rushed to a nearby hospital, where his condition is reported to be stable. Pathak was declared dead during treatment after being referred to a government hospital in Chandigarh. According to the police, Pathak was in custody when he complained of chest pain on Friday night. While being taken for medical attention, he reportedly managed to remove his handcuffs and flee around 11.30pm. “He was tracked down during a search operation in the morning. He opened fire on the police, and when they retaliated, he was initially shot in the leg. Even after falling, …

Discipline and role clarity the gamechangers as Kashi Kings dominate early in UPKL Season 2

Discipline and role clarity the gamechangers as Kashi Kings dominate early in UPKL Season 2

Published by Webster

The Kashi Kings have taken the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL) Season 2 by storm, establishing themselves as the team to beat with a dominant start. With an impressive record of 5 wins in their first 6 matches, the Kings are reaping the rewards of a meticulous and disciplined off-season overhaul. Under the leadership of owner Kulvant Baliyan, the franchise has transitioned from a developing squad which finished fourth on the points table in the inaugural season to a powerhouse, driven by a philosophy which values character as much as talent. From Identity to Excellence Reflecting on the team’s journey, Baliyan notes that while Season 1 was about carving out a niche, it provided the essential foundation for their current success. “The proudest moment for me in Season 1 was Kashi Kings creating their own identity,” Baliyan said. “The way the team fought through pressure situations and showed unity to represent the name of Kashi on the court was my biggest victory, more so than the results.” However, the transition to Season 2 required a …

“Playing fearless” – Defending champions Lucknow Lions’ aim in UPKL Season 2

“Playing fearless” – Defending champions Lucknow Lions’ aim in UPKL Season 2

Published by Webster

Entering the second season of the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL), the Lucknow Lions carry the formidable weight of being the defending champions. Their debut season was nothing short of legendary, characterized by a ruthless, unbeaten streak that culminated in lifting the trophy. However, for owner Prashant, the focus quickly shifted from celebrating past glories to ensuring the Lions remain at the top of the food chain. Refining the Roar: Strategic Balancing The Lucknow Lions’ primary preparation for Season 2 involved a deep dive into the team’s mechanics. Despite their success, the management identified a heavy reliance on star raider Arjun Deshwal in the previous edition as a pain point. To rectify this, Prashant and his technical team worked to build a more holistic squad. “Today, we have a much more balanced team, especially across key defensive roles such as the left corner, right corner, and other defensive positions,” Prashant explains. This includes the addition of reliable players like Anurag Pandey, ensuring the team isn’t dependent on a single individual for raiding points. Stability was …

“Fixing the gaps” – Sangam Challengers’ modus operandi in UPKL season 2

“Fixing the gaps” – Sangam Challengers’ modus operandi in UPKL season 2

Published by Webster

In the high-octane world of franchise-based sports leagues, the debut season is often a period of survival and discovery. For the Sangam Challengers in the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL), however, it was a statement of intent. As they runners-up of the inaugural season take the field for the second edition, the team isn’t just looking to repeat their success; they are looking to finish the job. Owner Anil Bhatia reflects on the inaugural season with a mix of pride and pragmatism. For a team starting from scratch, the journey to the ultimate stage was nothing short of a fairy tale. “The proudest moment was seeing Sangam Challengers reach the finals in our first season,” says Bhatia. “We started with limited experience at the league level, but the team adapted quickly and competed with consistency. Finishing as runners-up showed that our basic planning and belief were on the right track.” Building on a Solid Foundation Success in Kabaddi is often a game of inches and split-second decisions. After coming so close to the trophy, the …