Kabaddi Turf War Brewing in India to Control Multi Billion Business in India as International Kabaddi Federation Suspended National Body

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International Kabaddi Federation (IKF), having its head office in Jaipur, Rajasthan, has temporarily suspended the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India. This will result in India, who is the origin country of the sport, not being among the 12 nations that are competing in the upcoming inaugural edition of the men's World Beach Kabaddi Championships scheduled to be held in Iran next week.

The recent development, hints a "turf war is brewing to control the reign of the business of kabaddi that has grown manifold" since the start of the Pro Kabaddi League in 2014, in India, said a a national-level kabaddi coach.

"Indian team will not be allowed to compete at the first senior World Beach Kabaddi Championship scheduled to be held in September in Iran and sixth Asian Indoor and Martial Art Games to be held in Thailand in November," Vinod Kumar Tiwari, IKF president stated in a communication to IOA (Indian Olympic Association).

Reason: "Delhi's High Court appointed administrator (Justice SP Garg) is running the day-to-day affairs of the kabaddi in India and not by elected body which is a violation of the IKF rules and regulations," the IKF further said in an email to the IOA (as read by myKhel).

The elections of the new office bearers of the national kabaddi body were conducted on December 24, 2023. "But still the administrators running the show," the IKF has stated in its email dated July 2, 2024 to IOA."As the elected body of kabaddi does not have any charge, it is a violation of IKF rules."Those elected during the December election are not eligible as per National Sports Code 2011, Justice SP Garg added.

"Some members of the international body are supporting those elected in December elections," he further claimed. On a petition filed by a player that kabaddi is being run by a single family from Rajasthan, the Delhi High Court appointed an administrator to cleanse the system and hold fresh elections as per National Sports Code 2011.

However, it has been more than five long years, and the administrator is still managing the office. The administrator Justice SP Garg said he was clueless as to why India was banned from competing at the world meet in Iran by IKF when the matter is pending in the court.

"There is no logic to ban the Indian team by IKF from competing at the world beach kabaddi because there is no elected body in India," Justice SP Garg added. "The matter is pending in Delhi's High Court and the next hearing is September 30."

As per the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, IKF is registered under the company's act and head office is in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The IKF has two Indian directors -- Tejasvi Singh Gehlot and Kasani Gnaneshwar. Malaysia's M Sathasivam is the secretary general. Vinod Tiwari, deputy director general of NOC international relations and marketing department of the Olympic Council of Asia is the president.

"Indian body has been suspended temporarily due to internal issues as we don't know who are the office bearers of the national federation. There has been no AGM of the national federation," the IKF secretary-general said over the phone from Malaysia on Wednesday.

"We have written several letters to the administrator but there was no response." Vinod Kumar Tiwari didn't respond to text messages and calls. The national beach kabaddi tournament was held recently in Patna, Bihar, to select probables for the world beach tournament in Iran. But there wasn't any approval to conduct the national camp, the administrator said from the Sports Authority of India (SAI), a technical arm ofthe Sports Ministry.

"We have written an email to the government (SAI) but haven't gotten any response," the administrator claimed. "We have also apprised IOA of the legal matter pending in the court. We have also written to IKF but yet to get any response."

This administrative deadlock not only impedes the sport's growth but also damages the prospects of Indian players, as they miss out on key international tournaments. Both the men's and women's Indian kabaddi teams are recognised as world leaders and enter competitions as the top contenders. Despite these issues, India remains the dominant force in kabaddi, having brought home multiple Asian Games titles and World Cup victories.

However, until the internal conflicts are resolved, the national teams will be unable to defend their status as global leaders. The suspension from international events threatens to tarnish the country's illustrious record in indigenous sports.