The Indian women’s kabaddi team, which won its second consecutive World Cup time, was felicitated by the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) and JioStar in Mumbai on Friday. India defeated Chinese Taipei 35–28 in the final on November 24 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, reaffirming their dominance in the sport.
India remained unbeaten through the tournament, sweeping all their group matches before defeating Iran 33–21 in the semi-final. Chinese Taipei, also unbeaten in their group, entered the final after overcoming hosts Bangladesh 25–18.
It has been a remarkable year for women’s sports in the country as the women cricketers had clinched their maiden ODI World Cup last month. The kabaddi team winning their second title in the same month is the icing on the cake. The kabaddi players, unlike the cricketers, don’t enjoy the fame, recognition and fan following. Hence, the felicitation event celebrated not only the team’s remarkable triumph but also the rising momentum and strengthened institutional support for women’s kabaddi in India signalling an exciting, transformative phase ahead for the sport.
Responding to the felicitations, skipper Ritu Negi spoke about the team’s unity and resolve. She said, “In the last match I wasn’t able to play much because of my injury, and of course that was frustrating. But our team is bigger than any one player. What matters is that our players stepped up and executed exactly what was needed. Winning the World Cup and seeing the response from across the country — including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi — makes us feel that our hard work truly represents India.”
Head coach V Tejeswini Bai highlighted the team’s evolution and preparation. She said she was incredibly proud to be part of the winning team. Tejeswini Bai said, “This is the third time I’ve been part of a coaching setup that has won a medal, and every single one of them feels incredibly special. I’m proud not just of the result, but of the journey this group has taken… What you’re seeing in this victory is the result of months and months of disciplined preparation.”
Anupam Goswami, PKL League chairman and business head of Mashal Sports, underlined the long-term vision for women’s kabaddi. “The federation’s commitment — especially in bringing back the Women’s World Cup after 12 years shows that the sport is moving firmly in the right direction. This World Cup trophy is more than a win; it is a shared responsibility for all of us as we look ahead,” he said.
“When we think about a Women’s Kabaddi League, rushing it isn’t the answer. We need to build it the right way — with players who truly want to be part of it, with a model that makes commercial sense, and with a structure that can support women’s kabaddi for the long run”, he added.
Vibhor Vineet Jain, president of AKFI, highlighted the sport’s evolution on the global stage. “Kabaddi is no longer limited to the subcontinent. Nations like Chinese Taipei and Iran have transformed the competitive landscape. This diversity is enriching the sport, and we’re operating at every level to ensure kabaddi reaches its highest global pinnacles,” he said.
Ishan Chatterjee, chief executive officer, Sports, JioStar, hailed the team’s achievement within a historic year for women’s sport. “This has been a remarkable year for women’s sports in India, the exceptional dominance of the women’s kabaddi team being another feather in our cap. Their success isn’t just about winning a trophy; it builds a talent pipeline for young girls across the country who now look at this team and say, ‘If they can do it, I can do it too’,” he stated.
