Arm Wrestling to be included in India University Games 2026 edition

India are also likely to send Arm Wrestling contingent to future FISU World University Games.

In a landmark development, the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) has officially included the sport of Arm Wrestling in its roster for the upcoming edition of the prestigious University Games.

This milestone was achieved due to the constant efforts of People’s Arm Wrestling Federation of India (PAFI) and the Pro Panja League in promoting the sport and its athletes, marking a huge step forward for the recognition and growth of the sport in India.

The inaugural Arm Wrestling competition under the University Games banner is scheduled to be hosted at Maharana Pratap University, Aligarh in 2026 by the PAFI.

The University Games are one of India’s biggest multi-sport platforms, featuring participation from hundreds of universities across the country.

With Arm Wrestling’s inclusion, India will also be able to send a dedicated team to the FISU World University Games, where the sport already has a presence and young Indian arm wrestlers will get a chance to compete with international athletes.

The event will feature categories for men, women and specially-abled athletes and is expected to inspire thousands of students to take up the sport, expand its grassroots presence, and create a pipeline of talent for the national and international stage.

We could also see new talents featuring in the next season of Pro Panja League through the University Games.

Parvinn Dabass, Co-Founder of Pro Panja League said, “This is a huge moment for Arm Wrestling in India. The University Games represent the next generation of athletes, and having Arm Wrestling included there shows how far the sport has come. We are extremely proud of this achievement and are ensuring this event will be conducted on a grand scale.”

Preeti Jhangiani, President of PAFI, President of the Asian Arm-Wrestling Federation and Co-Founder of Pro Panja League added, “This inclusion gives young athletes a recognised platform to pursue Arm Wrestling seriously.

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With this the sport will also be included in the curriculum of colleges and universities across the country and we expect to see a new generation of Arm Wrestling athletes emerge and carry the sport forward.”

Dr. Binu Varghese, Joint Secretary at AIU commented: ”Arm-Wrestling has gained tremendous popularity in India, especially with the rise of the Pro Panja League inspiring youth across the country.

“AIU sees this as the right moment to include the sport, with strong prospects of winning medals at the FISU World University Championships and showcasing India’s power on the global stage.”

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