Sports 23 October 2026
Inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship Begins in Ahmedabad
Why in the News?
The inaugural **Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026** is being hosted at the **Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, Gujarat**, from October 23 to October 31, 2026.
Key Features / Major Points:
- Event Scope: Organized by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) under the aegis of the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), the tournament features 23 squads and over 400 athletes across 62 matches.
- Team Divisions:
- **Men's Category (13 Teams):** Group A (India, Nigeria, Malaysia, Uganda, England, Tanzania, Sri Lanka) & Group B (Bangladesh, Kenya, Canada, Australia, Scotland, Singapore).
- **Women's Category (10 Teams):** Group A (India, Nigeria, Singapore, Uganda, Malaysia) & Group B (Bangladesh, Kenya, England, Sri Lanka, Scotland).
- Opening Results:
- **Indian Women's Team:** Started strongly with a dominant 73–13 win against Malaysia, followed by a 32–16 victory over Singapore.
- **Indian Men's Team:** Led by captain Surjeet Singh and vice-captain Naveen Kumar, India opened with a 46–26 win over England and a 44–30 victory over Uganda.
- Official Broadcasters: Star Sports and JioHotstar.
Static GK Facts:
- International Kabaddi Federation (IKF): Founded in 2004; Headquarters - Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
- Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI): Founded in 1973; Headquarters - New Delhi.
- Asian Games History: Kabaddi was introduced as an official medal sport at the Asian Games in 1990 (Beijing).
One-Liner Quiz (All Competitive Exams):
Q: Which city is hosting the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026?
A: Ahmedabad, Gujarat (Veer Savarkar Sports Complex)
Q: Who is captaining the Indian Men's Kabaddi team at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026?
A: Surjeet Singh (Vice-captain: Naveen Kumar)
Q: In which year was Kabaddi first introduced as an official medal sport in the Asian Games?
A: 1990 (Beijing Asian Games)
Q: Where is the headquarters of the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) located?
A: Jaipur, Rajasthan (India)
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