Groundbreaking Professional League for Women's Kabaddi Launched
The Asian Kabaddi League (AKL) has officially launched, heralding a new era for women's kabaddi in India and across Asia. This landmark initiative establishes the world's first fully structured, commercially funded, and broadcast-backed professional women's kabaddi league. The launch signifies a pivotal moment for Indian sports, elevating women's kabaddi to a professional stage with unprecedented support.
Season 1 to Feature Eight Franchises and 120 Athletes
The inaugural season of the AKL is scheduled to begin in August 2026, featuring eight city-based franchises. Approximately 120 professional women athletes, many of whom have previously represented India internationally, will compete. This league aims to provide these athletes with structured salaries, formal contracts, comprehensive coaching systems, sports science support, and national visibility through televised matches. The AKL's vision extends beyond just competition, focusing on creating sustainable, long-term career pathways for female kabaddi players.
Sony Sports Network Secures Exclusive Broadcast Rights
In a significant move to amplify the league's reach, the Asian Kabaddi League has partnered with Sony Sports Network as its exclusive national broadcast partner. This collaboration will see league matches broadcast in prime time across Sony Sports channels, bringing women's kabaddi into millions of Indian households. League officials emphasized that this partnership validates the sporting and commercial credibility of women's kabaddi, positioning it alongside established professional leagues in India. Shauryaveer Chandwani, Director of the Asian Kabaddi League, stated, "The partnership with Sony Sports Network is not just a broadcast deal. It is a declaration -- that women's kabaddi belongs in prime time, that these athletes belong on the biggest stage Indian sport has to offer, and that the audience for this sport is real, passionate, and has been waiting for exactly this moment."
Grassroots Initiatives and Athlete Empowerment
Prior to its formal launch, the AKL conducted a nationwide grassroots initiative titled 'On The Road with AKL.' This campaign traveled across various cities, towns, and rural sporting hubs to engage directly with athletes, coaches, and kabaddi communities. Organizers reported that this initiative reinforced the widespread demand for a professional league and highlighted the depth of talent existing outside formal structures. The league is committed to building a robust grassroots pipeline, connecting village-level talent to professional franchises and ensuring a viable career path for future generations of women kabaddi players. The AKL aims to empower women in sports by addressing the historical gap in financial stability and national recognition for elite athletes, offering them professional contracts and a structured competitive environment.