Inaugural Global Women's Kabaddi League Set To Launch In 2024

The first-ever Global Women's Kabaddi League is set to debut in 2024, aiming to elevate the indigenous sport ofaddi on a global scale. This pioneering event, known as the Global Pravasi Women's Kabaddi League (GPKL), will unite women athletes from over 15 countries.

Organised by the Holistic International Pravasi Sports Association (HIPSA) in partnership with World Kabaddi, the League seeks to promote and develop women's Kabaddi worldwide. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was recently signed between HIPSA and the Government of Haryana, where the League will commence.

Global Participation and Support

The GPKL will feature teams from diverse nations such as England, Poland, Argentina, Canada, and Italy. Athletes from these countries have shown keen interest in participating in this landmark tournament.

HIPSA President Kanthi D Suresh highlighted the significance of this initiative: "This has been long overdue and now with the Government of India's steely resolve to bid for hosting the Olympics, without our indigenous sport being part of it would be heartbreaking!"

Historical Context and Future Aspirations

Kabaddi has ancient roots in the Indian subcontinent and was included as a full sport in the Asian Games in 1990, with women's events added in 2010. The upcoming League aims to celebrate this rich heritage while inspiring new generations of women to embrace the sport.

Former Indian Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju has also expressed support for Kabaddi's inclusion in the Olympics. As India eyes hosting the Olympic Games in 2036, having Kabaddi as an official Olympic sport would be a significant achievement.

Official Statements and Future Plans

Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, explained in a written reply to Lok Sabha in July 2024: "The allotment of hosting rights for the Olympics is done by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through a detailed host selection process spelled out in the public domain. The IOC has a dedicated body, the Future Host Commission (FHC), which deals with this subject."

He further elaborated on how sports are included in the Olympics: "Inclusion of any sport discipline in the Olympic Games is decided by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"Among other things, IOC has prescribed that a sport discipline must be governed by an International Federation which undertakes to follow the rules of the Olympic Charter and it must also be practiced widely across the world and meet various criteria."

The Global Pravasi Women's Kabaddi League represents a crucial step towards achieving India's ambitions of hosting the 2036 Olympics and having Kabaddi recognised as an official Olympic sport. The schedule for GPKL will be announced soon.