Legal tensions rise in Indian Kabaddi amid administrative disputes

Kabaddi has witnessed several administrative irregularities over the years in India

The governance crisis in Indian Kabaddi has intensified, with the World Kabaddi Federation (WKF) reportedly preparing to issue a legal notice to the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF). The move follows the IKF’s decision to bar Indian teams from participating in international tournaments, citing administrative irregularities within the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI).

The IKF’s suspension of Indian teams stems from concerns over the AKFI’s failure to function as a duly elected body, despite the successful conduct of elections in December 2023. Vibhor Jain and Jitendra Pran Singh were elected as President and General Secretary, respectively, with the AKFI’s daily operations remaining under the control of a court-appointed administrator.

AKFI’s non-compliance has consequences

The situation has led the IKF to view the AKFI’s governance as non-compliant with its statutes, resulting in India’s exclusion from events like the Men’s Senior World Beach Kabaddi Championships and the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. Adding to the turmoil, the IKF also condemned the Kabaddi World Cup 2025 in the United Kingdom as ‘Fake Kabaddi World Cup‘.

The tournament, organized under the aegis of the WKF, lacks recognition from the IKF, the Olympic Council of Asia, and the Asian Kabaddi Federation. The IKF has stated that no national federations for the sport affiliated with it are participating in the event, and any teams claiming to represent such countries are doing so without official sanction.

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Administrative problems dominate Kabaddi

In a related development, senior advocate Rahul Mehra highlighted the similarities between administrative issues in Kabaddi and other Indian sports federations during the AIFF draft constitution case. He argued that fears of international suspension due to court-appointed administrators are unfounded, citing examples from Indian Kabaddi where similar interventions did not lead to international sanctions.

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He stated, “It happened in Kabaddi where a coordinate bench of this honorable court has held CBI investigations and Interpol investigations because International Kabaddi and Indian Kabaddi are being run from the same office, and the Indian officers wanted the international body to suspend Indian Kabaddi. So, all this bogey of international player international recognition going away, because it’s completely misplaced.”

He emphasized the importance of player representation in sports governance, questioning the rationale behind excluding athletes from administrative roles. The unfolding legal battles and administrative disputes have cast a shadow over Indian kabaddi, a sport deeply rooted in the country’s culture.

With the WKF preparing its legal challenge against the IKF, stakeholders and fans alike await resolutions that will restore stability and integrity to the sport’s governance.

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