Published: January 21, 2026 at 12:20 pm
Around 280 para-athletes from 20 state teams will participate in the 3rd National Para Kabaddi Tournament to be held at the Andhra MetTech Zone in Visakhapatnam from January 23 to 26.
The meet is being organised by Padma Shri and Khel Ratna awardee Dr Deepa Malik’s NGO Wheeling Happiness Foundation & Andhra MetTech Zone, under the aegis of the Indian Para Kabaddi Association (IPKA). The opening ceremony will be held on January 23, while the closing ceremony will be on Republic Day (January 26).
The championship will witness participation from 20 state teams, with one team representing each state, featuring 280 para-athletes and 90 officials from across the country. The tournament is exclusively for men with orthopaedic limb disabilities, showcasing high-performance para kabaddi and the growing competitive depth of the sport led by the Indian Para Kabaddi Association.
Second runners-up of the 2nd National Para-Kabaddi Tournament held last year
The event aims to provide a strong national platform for para kabaddi athletes, promote talent identification, and strengthen the pathway from grassroots to elite competition. It also reinforces the shared commitment of all stakeholders to inclusive sport and the empowerment of persons with disabilities through structured, high-visibility national events.
Meet to enhance profile of para kabaddi
Matches will be conducted over four days, bringing together athletes, coaches, technical officials, and administrators from across India. The tournament is expected to attract attention from sports administrators, policymakers, and the wider sporting community, further enhancing the profile of para kabaddi at the national level.
The Indian Para Kabaddi Association continues to work towards expanding opportunities for para-athletes and building excellence through regular National championships.
Action from last year’s tournament
The vision for the 3rd National Para Kabaddi at AMTZ was conceptualised when Deepa Malik and Dr Jitendra Sharma, MD & Founder CEO of AMTZ, met at the foundation laying ceremony of the Para Sports Academy at AMTZ last year. This edition marks the third National championship, following the successful earlier editions in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh under the able guidance of IPKA president Devika Malik, secretary Kuldeep Singh & treasurer Rajesh Kumar Lathiya.
