Indian Kabaddi Teams Set for Asian Games 2026 with High Hopes

Preparation for the Asian Games

Balwan Singh, the head coach of the Indian men's kabaddi team, emphasized that the squad is thoroughly prepared for the upcoming Asian Games 2026. He also cautioned against underestimating any rival teams. Both the men's and women's kabaddi teams departed for Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on Tuesday, with aspirations of clinching gold medals. The event is scheduled from September 19 to October 4.

'Never Underestimate Opponents': Coach Balwan Singh

In a statement, Balwan Singh expressed confidence in the team's readiness after completing training camps in Bengaluru and Ballari. He noted the importance of recognizing the strength of all opponents, stating that consistent practice is crucial for success. He remarked, "We are heading to Japan for the Asian Games. Our preparations are complete. We began with camps in India—three in Bengaluru and one at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Ballari—followed by the final camp. There are 10 teams in total. If we win all six matches, we will secure the gold medal."

"We should never underestimate our opponents. Every team is strong. If we practice well, we are the strongest. It all comes down to practice; nobody is inherently strong," he added.

Men's Captain Aims to Repeat Gold Medal Win

Sunil Malik, the captain of the Indian men's team, stated that his primary objective is to win gold at the Asian Games. After achieving gold in the last edition, he is determined to replicate that success. He acknowledged that the competition is becoming fiercer as kabaddi gains popularity and more nations enhance their skills.

"For any player, winning a gold medal at the Asian Games is a major goal. That is exactly what I am aiming for. I competed in the previous Asian Games and won gold there as well; the mindset and the goal remain the same this time—to win gold for India again. The competition is intensifying. This is partly due to India's influence—competition is growing across various nations. It is actually beneficial for the sport that different countries are playing, and the level of competition is rising," he stated.

Women's Team Identifies Key Challengers

On the other hand, Pushpa Rana, captain of the women's team, mentioned that they are well-prepared for the challenges ahead. She identified Chinese Taipei and Iran as their main competitors, while also acknowledging the increasing global interest in kabaddi and the significance of international exposure in advancing the sport.

"Our preparation has been excellent... While all the competing teams are good, the ones that have challenged us over the last 2–3 years are Chinese Taipei and Iran... Players and coaches from abroad participate in the men's league; when they return home, they take that knowledge back and develop the sport there. We are thrilled to see kabaddi growing like this and that players are getting such a great platform," she remarked.

Upcoming Matches

India's men's and women's kabaddi teams will kick off their campaigns at the Asian Games 2026 in Japan on September 21, aiming to defend their gold medals from the 2022 Hangzhou Games.