Kabaddi to debut at South East Asian Games 2025

A total of 6 South East Asian countries will participate in this event.

Kabaddi is set to script a landmark chapter in its international journey as it makes its debut at the 33rd South East Asian Games (SEA), scheduled to be held in Thailand in December 2025.

For the first time in the history of the multi-sport event, this ancient contact sport will be included as a competitive discipline, showcasing its rapid growth and expanding footprint across South-East Asia.

The SEA Games kabaddi competition will include three distinct formats. The Standard Style Kabaddi event will be contested from December 11 to 14, followed by the Super 5 format on December 15 and 16, while the 3-Star Kabaddi competition will conclude proceedings on December 17 and 18.

These variations promise an exciting mix of traditional tactics and fast-paced innovation, catering to both purists and newer audiences of the sport.

A total of six Southeast Asian nations will participate in this historic debut: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Myanmar, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. Their inclusion reflects years of grassroots development and regional competitions that have steadily strengthened Kabaddi structures across the region.

The SEA Games platform now offers these nations an opportunity to elevate their programs and compete on a prestigious stage.

History of the South East Asian Games

The SEA Games, which began in 1959, have evolved into one of Asia’s most significant sporting events, known for introducing and promoting indigenous and emerging sports.

While Kabaddi has long been a dominant discipline at events such as the Asian Games, where India and Iran have historically set the benchmark, its inclusion in the SEA Games signals a new phase of regional acceptance and competitive balance.

Previous editions of the SEA Games have played a crucial role in nurturing sports like pencak silat, sepak takraw, and vovinam, allowing host nations and emerging teams to thrive.

Organizers now hope Kabaddi will follow a similar path, inspiring broader participation, improved infrastructure, and increased youth engagement throughout Southeast Asia.

With Thailand hosting the 33rd edition, Kabaddi’s introduction not only celebrates the sport’s global momentum but also opens the door for future medal rivalries in a region eager to embrace its physicality, strategy, and spectacle.

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