The Kabaddi League
Kabaddi England
Who are they?
Kabaddi England was founded in 2003 by Ashok Das after being a former member of the NKA where he qualified as a National Kabaddi Coach. By 2004 the England national team had competed in the 1st Kabaddi World Cup held in Mumbai where 14 countries competed in the event, and England’s team consisted of British Asian players from various parts of the UK. While their greatest World Cup achievement was reaching the quarterfinals in 2004, England continues to develop the sport domestically. Leagues run throughout the year, and universities play a significant role in fostering Kabaddi talent.
Their History
Led by Ashok Das, Kabaddi England has been instrumental in growing the sport both domestically and internationally. They began by fostering Kabaddi within the British Army and facilitated their participation in friendly matches across India in 2007. This same year, they established the European Kabaddi Federation, laying the groundwork for continental Kabaddi development. The formation of the England Women’s Kabaddi Team in 2009 marked a significant milestone for the organisation – looking to further develop its diverse offering. Since then, their women have achieved remarkable success, including a World Cup runner-up finish in 2011 and numerous victories in international tournaments
throughout the 2010s. Kabaddi England has played a key role in inspiring the growth of women’s Kabaddi across Europe, and is responsible for the affiliation of Kabaddi associations in Scotland, Wales, and Poland with the International Kabaddi Federation.
The England men’s team has also seen significant growth and success, recently participating in the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup. They are continuing to organise matches and demonstrations throughout the UK and Europe, striving to make Kabaddi a mainstream sport for all to enjoy.
