New Delhi, 27 March (H.S.):

A major step has been taken to strengthen India’s preparations for the 2026 Asian Games, as the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) and Mashal Sports have jointly launched a high‑performance strength and conditioning camp for the country’s top male and female kabaddi prospects. The camp began on March 27 and will run until April 2 at the Inspire Institute of Sport in Bellary, Karnataka, building a specialised training base for the national discipline.

The focus of this special training camp is on improving athletes’ fitness, performance capacity and long‑term development. Using modern training methods and scientific support systems, the programme aims to prepare players to compete at the highest international level, with an eye on the Asian Games in 2026.

AKFI president Vipul Vineet Jain described the initiative as a crucial move to elevate the standard of Indian kabaddi, noting that the partnership with Mashal Sports will provide players with a professional environment, cutting‑edge training and high‑performance support essential for success in global competitions.

The camp features several star players from the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), including Navin Kumar, Arjun Deshwal, Pawan Sehrawat, Aslam Inamdar, Sunil Kumar, Ashu Malik and Bharat Hooda. On the women’s side, the camp includes members of the Indian women’s kabaddi team that won the World Cup, such as captain Ritu Negi, alongside Sonali Vishnu Shingate, Pooja Rana, Champa Thakur, Pinky Roy, Priya and Kartika R. These athletes will benefit from intensive drills, individualised fitness plans and technical fine‑tuning aimed at sharpening their game ahead of the Asian Games.

Organisers say this high‑performance camp will play a key role in shaping the Indian men’s and women’s kabaddi squads for the 2026 Asian Games, helping them maintain their traditional dominance in the sport while adapting to newer, more competitive international standards.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar