Asian Games 2026: India men's, women's kabaddi teams placed in Group A
New Delhi, July 23
India's men's and women's kabaddi teams have been placed in Group A for their respective events at the forthcoming Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with the group-stage draws confirmed on Thursday.
The Asian Games 2026 are scheduled to take place in Japan's Aichi prefecture from September 19 to October 4, with the kabaddi competitions set to be held at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium from September 21 to 26.
A total of 10 teams will compete for the men's kabaddi title, with the sides divided into two groups of five. The women's tournament will see eight teams divided into two groups of four, according to Olympics.com.
The Indian men's team will compete against Bangladesh, South Korea, Chinese Taipei and hosts Japan in Group A. Group B comprises Nepal, Thailand, Pakistan, Malaysia and Iran, keeping the two traditional kabaddi powerhouses, India and Iran, apart in the opening stage, according to Olympics.com.
In the women's event, India have been drawn in Group A alongside Iran, Japan and Bangladesh, while Group B features Sri Lanka, Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Nepal.
As per the format followed since the 2006 Asian Games, the top two teams from each group at the end of the round-robin stage will advance to the semi-finals.
Asian Games 2026 men's kabaddi draw:
Group A: Bangladesh, Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei, Japan, IndiaGroup B: Nepal, Thailand, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran
Asian Games 2026 women's kabaddi draw:
Group A: India, Iran, Japan, BangladeshGroup B: Sri Lanka, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Nepal.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally some good news for Indian sports! After the Asian Games 2023 where we did well in kabaddi, this draw should help us dominate again. Hope the coaching staff focuses on improving our raiding strategies against Iran - they've been our bogey team in recent years.
As someone who follows international kabaddi, India should cruise through Group A. The real test will be the semifinals against Iran or Pakistan. Women's team has a slightly tougher group with Iran and Japan but they've been performing well. Excited to see the Pro Kabaddi stars in action!
I hope the team doesn't get overconfident. Remember 2014 when we lost to Iran in the final? We need to take every match seriously. Good thing Iran is in the other group so we won't face them until the knockout stages. Fingers crossed! 🤞
Love seeing women's kabaddi getting more attention! The team has been doing great work. Draw is fair but I wish they'd expand the tournament to include more teams from ASEAN countries. Kabaddi has such potential to grow across Asia. Let's go girls! 💪
People don't realize how competitive kabaddi has become. Iran, Korea and even Japan have improved massively. I hope our federation sends a strong squad, not just based on Pro Kabaddi performances but also form and fitness. Gold is non-negotiable at Asian Games!
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