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West Midlands to host 2025 Kabaddi World Cup – less than 100 days to go
THERE ARE less than 100 days to go until the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup kicks off in the West Midlands.
It is set to take place in March next year and will be the first time the competition will be held outside of Asia.
Kabaddi is the fastest-growing sport in South Asia, and the second most popular after cricket.
It originated in India some 5,000 years ago and is a contact sport that sees teams broken down into raiders and blockers, with the aim of scoring points by entering opposition territory, tagging an opponent and making it back into their own half without being tackled to the ground.
It is now played in more than 50 countries, having grown as a mainstream sport.
Ashok Das, President of World Kabaddi, said: “We have been working closely with the City of Wolverhampton Council, West Midlands Growth Company and partners over the last two years to plan the Kabaddi World Cup 2025 and are excited to be now drawing the teams for the competition.
“The West Midlands was a straightforward choice for us – not just for its great sporting pedigree, but it is a region that celebrates its cultural diversity, engages all its communities and is centrally located in the UK to allow ease of access to the competition from across the country.
“Kabaddi has a rich heritage and above all has the power to bring nations, communities and people together to enjoy the game, socialise and unite as a team.
“Teamwork is the key to success and this World Cup has come about as a result of tremendous teamwork between World Kabaddi, British Kabaddi League, our member nations and associations and our hosts, the West Midlands and particularly the great city of Wolverhampton.”
The Kabaddi World Cup 2025 has received £500,000 of funding from the UK Government's Commonwealth Games Legacy Enhancement Fund following a joint bid by the City of Wolverhampton Council and World Kabaddi.
Group games in the Kabaddi World Cup will be held in Birmingham, Coventry and Walsall, however, it is Wolverhampton that is taking centre stage, hosting the knockout stages and final of the men’s and women’s tournaments.
City of Wolverhampton Council Leader, Councillor Stephen Simkins, said: "We are thrilled to announce the official launch of the 2025 Kabaddi World Cup in Wolverhampton!
“We look forward to welcoming men's and women's teams from around the globe and hosting the games in our vibrant city.
“Hosting the Kabaddi World Cup is a tremendous opportunity for Wolverhampton, and we are incredibly proud to be hosting the finals and semi-finals at Aldersley Stadium.
“This event will put our city and region on the map as a premier destination for visitors while also fostering a sense of pride and excitement among our residents.”
Joining in on marking 100 days to go, Councillor Adrian Andrew, Associate Leader of
Walsall Council, added: “The Kabaddi World Cup 2025 is another great opportunity to put Walsall on the map.
“This is a huge global event so it’s great for Walsall and the West Midlands to be able to host it, bringing the sport to the UK for the first time. “
The competition will be held across the region between 17th and 23rd March 2025, with 16 nations taking part including India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, China, Tanzania, Kenya, Cameroon, Egypt, USA, Poland, Italy, Scotland and England.
