The global kabaddi community is celebrating the huge success of the Kabaddi World Cup – the first edition held outside Asia.
It’s a week since the event was here in Coventry, and two days since World Kabaddi Day which takes place annually on 24 March, marking the anniversary of its founding date in 2018. Since then, the organisation has grown to include five continental governing bodies and more than 55 National Federations, a number which continues to rise as the sport’s global popularity skyrockets.
This year’s celebrations off the back of an outstanding Kabaddi World Cup provide an important opportunity to reflect on kabaddi’s growth. The seven-day tournament was held across the West Midlands, including here in Coventry at the Coventry Building Society Arena, serving as a significant milestone in World Kabaddi’s ambitions for greater recognition among the international sports community and to feature at multi-sport events including the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games.
Councillor Kamran Caan, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Sport, said: “I am so proud of all partners who worked together to deliver this incredible event that has dominated the West Midlands over recent weeks.
“Seeing the world’s best kabaddi players at the Kabaddi World Cup here in Coventry has been truly inspiring.
“We’ve seen lifelong kabaddi fans enjoy the event through to children in our primary schools learning all about the sport for the first time and taking part in kabaddi tournaments. We’ll continue to build on this progress moving forward.”
India emerged victorious in a captivating women’s final against host nation England. India also clinched the men’s title with an impressive win against England to finish the competition in Wolverhampton – one of four host cities across a week which shared kabaddi’s remarkable story with the world.
World Kabaddi President Ashok Das commented: “The Paddy Power Kabaddi World Cup 2025 has been an historic week for Kabaddi. The performances of all the teams, the passion of the fans in the great West Midlands venues and the millions who have followed the tournament around the world have proven that our sport is truly global.
“This tournament is a milestone — a sign of Kabaddi’s bright future. The passion we’ve seen is a testament to how far the sport has come, and a glimpse of what lies ahead. We look forward to building on this momentum and bringing Kabaddi to even greater heights on the world stage.”
The Kabaddi World Cup was hosted by the England Kabaddi Association and delivered by the British Kabaddi League (BKL), which launched in 2022 and has underlined the sport’s expansion around the world.
Joel Lavery, Strategic Lead Major Sporting Events, West Midlands Growth Company, concluded: “We shouldn’t underestimate the impact of hosting the Paddy Power Kabaddi World Cup in the West Midlands. We’ve seen the convening power of sport in action bringing civic leaders across the West Midlands, commercial partners and, most importantly the local and international community together to celebrate. The sport of kabaddi has officially landed in the West Midlands and in the UK and this is the watershed moment and a springboard.”