The International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) has stated that the ongoing “Kabaddi World Cup 2025” in the UK, organized by the so-called World Kabaddi Federation, is not officially recognized. IKF is the global governing body for Kabaddi, acknowledged by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF).
Since 1990, OCA, IKF, and AKF have been responsible for organizing and overseeing Kabaddi events for both men and women at the Asian Games, along with other international tournaments.
Additionally, the OCA, IKF, AKF, and the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) have no connection with the World Kabaddi Federation or any of its activities.
The IKF has clarified that only National Sports Federations (NSFs) for Kabaddi, which are officially linked to their country’s National Olympic Federation, are recognized as members of the IKF and AKF. These officially recognized NSFs, which are part of the Olympic system in their countries, are not involved in the so-called Kabaddi World Cup 2025 in the UK.
As a result, none of the national Kabaddi teams that competed in the Asian Games are taking part in this event. The teams currently playing in the so-called Kabaddi World Cup in the UK do not have approval from the official NSFs for Kabaddi in their respective countries.
The International Kabaddi Federation (IKF) has been informed by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) that the so-called Indian team playing in the Kabaddi World Cup in the UK is not officially recognized or approved by AKFI, which is the governing body for Kabaddi in India.
IKF will ask AKFI to take appropriate action against this unofficial team and ensure that only recognized teams participate in Kabaddi events under its control in India.
Additionally, IKF will urge its member organizations, especially those in Asia, to take similar steps against any teams falsely representing their countries in this event.
IKF will also inform National Olympic bodies to prevent them from mistakenly recognizing or approving unauthorized national teams participating in the so-called Kabaddi World Cup 2025 in the UK.
