In a significant setback for Indian kabaddi, the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) has suspended the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), barring the country from participating in key international tournaments. The decision comes as a result of prolonged administrative issues within the AKFI, where a court-appointed administrator, Justice SP Garg, has been overseeing the organisation for the past five years, rather than an elected body, which violates IKF rules.
The IKF president, Vinod Tiwari, confirmed the suspension and highlighted that India’s participation in major upcoming events is now in jeopardy. “Yes, the AKFI is suspended, and they will remain suspended if they don’t appoint elected representatives to run the body,” Tiwari stated as per the Bridge.
India to Miss World Beach Kabaddi Championship
As a direct consequence of the suspension, the Indian men’s and women’s kabaddi teams will miss the inaugural Senior World Beach Kabaddi Championship, scheduled to be held in Iran in September. Additionally, they will not be allowed to compete in the sixth Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games in Thailand in November. This is a severe blow for a country that has long been a global leader in the sport.
In a letter to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the IKF expressed concerns about the lack of clarity regarding AKFI’s leadership, further complicating India’s chances of resolving the issue quickly. “Indian team will not be allowed to compete… due to the lack of clarity on who is running AKFI,” the communication read.
Court-Appointed administrator at centre of issue
The suspension stems from the ongoing dispute over who controls AKFI. The Delhi High Court appointed Justice SP Garg to manage AKFI in 2019, following concerns about mismanagement and violations of the 2011 National Sports Code. Since then, efforts to elect a new governing body have faced repeated setbacks. Although an election was held in December 2023, it was invalidated by the High Court for failing to adhere to the sports code.
The IKF views the involvement of a court-appointed administrator as a violation of its rules, which require a democratically elected body to run national sports federations. The conflict has left Indian kabaddi in a state of uncertainty, with no clear resolution in sight.
Impact on growth of Kabaddi in India
The suspension is likely to have far-reaching consequences for Indian kabaddi. Despite the sport’s growing popularity, thanks in large part to the success of the Pro Kabaddi League, the absence of international competition could hamper the national teams’ progress and the sport’s global aspirations, including its bid to be featured in the Olympics.
India’s dominance in kabaddi, both at the men’s and women’s levels, now hangs in the balance as the administrative crisis deepens. Without a swift resolution, India risks falling behind in a sport it once led on the international stage.
Future of Indian Kabaddi in question
With AKFI’s suspension, the future of Indian kabaddi remains uncertain. The sport’s top athletes are now at risk of missing out on crucial international exposure, which could stall their development. Moreover, the lack of international competition might undermine the efforts to further grow kabaddi both in India and globally.
The situation calls for immediate action to resolve the administrative impasse, allowing the Indian teams to return to the international arena and ensuring the continued growth of kabaddi in the country.
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