Inaugural Asian Kabaddi League Women's Chapter Set to Empower Female Athletes

A New Era for Women's Kabaddi

The Asian Kabaddi League (AKL) is launching its first-ever Women's Chapter, providing a significant professional platform for female kabaddi players from across Asia.

Although the league invites participants from various Asian nations, it will not include teams from Pakistan and Bangladesh in its inaugural season. The tournament will showcase eight regional teams and will be broadcast during prime time on Sony from August 1 to 16.

This league aims to revolutionize women's kabaddi by offering a competitive international environment, professional exposure, and a long-awaited dedicated platform for the sport.

Organized in collaboration with the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), the South East Asian Kabaddi Federation (SEAKF), and state kabaddi associations from Jharkhand, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh, the tournament promises to elevate the sport.

During the launch ceremony, representatives from the involved federations and state associations were honored.

Unlike many kabaddi leagues that focus primarily on male athletes, the AKL Women's Chapter 1 is specifically designed for women competitors.

The organizers emphasize that the league aims to create equal opportunities, promote international involvement, and inspire more young girls to engage in kabaddi.

Vikram Vijay Chandan, President of Growth & Media at AKL, introduced the league, highlighting its goal to unite top female kabaddi talent from across the continent.

“AKL – Women’s Chapter 1 is a professional platform that brings together the best women kabaddi players and team leaders from Asia. With Sony as our broadcaster and prime time matches, we are committed to giving women's kabaddi the visibility and respect it deserves,” Chandan stated.

League Chairman Praveen Shetty welcomed the representatives from participating states and reiterated the league's foundation on the belief that talented women players, regardless of their region, deserve a professional stage to exhibit their skills.

International kabaddi player Suman Shokeen described the league as a groundbreaking opportunity for women in the sport, fulfilling a long-standing demand for a professional competition.

“Women players have awaited a professional league of this magnitude for a long time. AKL marks a new beginning — it provides us with a platform to demonstrate our capabilities and will motivate many more young girls to pursue kabaddi,” Shokeen remarked.

With eight regional teams, international participation, and nationwide television coverage during prime time, AKL Women’s Chapter 1 is poised to become a pivotal milestone in the advancement of women’s kabaddi, offering female athletes a chance to showcase their talents to a broader audience.