India’s Women’s Kabaddi Team Triumphs Over Iran to Defend Asian Championship Title
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Synopsis of the Article
- India’s Victory: The Indian Women’s Kabaddi team won the 2025 Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship, defeating Iran 32-25 in the final.
- Tournament Details: The championship was held in Tehran, Iran, from March 6-8, 2025, returning after eight years since the last edition in 2017.
- Government Recognition: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Sports Minister, felicitated the team and announced a cash reward of ₹67,50,000 to honor their achievement.
- Women’s Kabaddi League: The Minister hinted at launching a women’s Kabaddi league to promote the sport among female athletes.
- India’s Journey in the Championship:
- Group Stage: India topped Group A after defeating Bangladesh (64-23), Thailand (76-21), and Malaysia (73-19).
- Semifinal: India beat Nepal 56-18 to reach the final.
- Final Match: India won against Iran 32-25 in a hard-fought battle.
- Captain’s Statement: Sonali Shingate, team captain, credited the Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs and SAI Sonepat training camp for their success.
- Upcoming Challenge: The team is preparing for the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup, scheduled in Bihar, India, in June 2025.
- Sports Federation Support:
- AKFI (Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India) called this victory a boost to India’s kabaddi dominance ahead of global events.
- IKF (International Kabaddi Federation) acknowledged India’s role as the torchbearer of kabaddi in the world.
India’s Women’s Kabaddi team once again proved their dominance in the sport, securing victory at the 2025 Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship in Tehran, Iran. The team defeated the hosts, Iran, 32-25 in an intense final, successfully defending their title. This historic win marks India’s fifth championship title in the tournament’s history.
The Asian Women’s Kabaddi Championship was last held in 2017, making a return after an eight-year gap. In the previous edition, India had defeated South Korea to lift the trophy. This year’s event took place from March 6-8, 2025, with India once again emerging victorious.
On their return, the Indian squad received a warm reception in New Delhi, where they were felicitated by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports. Recognizing their achievement, the Minister announced a cash reward of ₹67,50,000 for the team.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Mandaviya expressed his commitment to supporting women’s sports in India. He revealed that the government is working towards launching a women’s kabaddi league, similar to the men’s league, to provide more opportunities for female athletes.
India was placed in Group A alongside Bangladesh, Thailand, and Malaysia. The team displayed exceptional form throughout the tournament:
- Defeated Bangladesh 64-23
- Overpowered Thailand 76-21
- Dominated Malaysia 73-19
With an impressive score difference of +150, India advanced to the semifinals, where they thrashed Nepal 56-18 to secure a spot in the final.
The final against Iran was India’s toughest match, but the team held their ground and clinched the title with a 32-25 victory.
Captain Sonali Shingate, who led from the front, expressed her gratitude for the immense support from the Ministry of Sports & Youth Affairs. She highlighted the importance of their training camp at SAI Sonepat, which helped them prepare for the championship.
“Our team played magnificently, and this victory is dedicated to every member who contributed to our success. The Ministry’s backing and the Supreme Court’s timely intervention ensured that we could compete. Now, we are setting our sights on the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in Bihar this June,” said Shingate.
The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) praised the team’s performance, calling it an excellent dress rehearsal for the upcoming Women’s Kabaddi World Cup.
Jitendra Pran Singh Thakur, AKFI Secretary-elect, emphasized that India’s dominance in kabaddi is growing stronger, and the federation will continue to support their participation in international tournaments.
The International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) also acknowledged India’s crucial role in popularizing kabaddi worldwide. Vinod Tiwary, President of IKF, expressed appreciation for India’s sports authorities and the Supreme Court, which ensured India’s participation in the championship.
With the Asian Championship title in hand, the Indian team is now focusing on their next big challenge – the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup, which will be held in Bihar, India, in June 2025.
As India continues to dominate kabaddi globally, the country looks forward to strengthening the sport with the potential launch of a women’s kabaddi league. With increasing support from the government and sports federations, the future of Indian women’s kabaddi looks brighter than ever.