Nigeria to debut at Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in India

Nigeria will take part in the 2026 Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in India next week, the country's kabaddi leader, Daniel Damola, has confirmed.

Damola spoke in Calabar at the weekend during a visit to Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, according to Daily Trust and The Sun. The team's technical head, Collins Eko, was also part of the delegation.

Kabaddi is a contact team sport that began in ancient India. Two teams of seven play it, and the key move is for a single attacker, called a "raider", to run into the opponents' half, tag as many defenders as possible and get back to his own side without being tackled, all within one breath.

What the governor promised

Otu directed officials to arrange the team's flights through Lagos ahead of the championship and challenged the athletes to come back with medals, The Sun reported.

He said his administration would look at what the team needs and give appropriate help. "It has actually been a policy to encourage sports in all ramifications of it," the governor said.

Otu also said government alone cannot fund sports and called for private investment to provide modern facilities. "The world over, it has become clear that government alone cannot sponsor sports," he said.

Damola praised Otu for supporting kabaddi's introduction and growth in Cross River, calling him the first Nigerian governor to endorse the sport. He said the sport is popular in several Asian countries and is gradually gaining ground in Africa.

According to Damola, Otu's backing drew attention at a delegates' meeting in Ahmedabad, India, where representatives voted to recognise the governor's contribution. He said the honour is scheduled for October 29, 2026, in India.

Eko said the athletes are determined to justify the confidence placed in them and expect a strong showing to raise Nigeria's profile in the sport and draw more young people to it.

Why it matters

For young athletes in Cross River and beyond, the trip is a rare chance to compete abroad and learn at a higher level. It also fits the state's push to use sports for youth empowerment, though the government has not said how much it will spend.

Kabaddi is still little known in Nigeria, so a good result in India could help the sport attract sponsors and players at home.

What happens next

The team is expected to travel through Lagos for the championship next week. The proposed recognition for Otu is set for October 29, 2026, in India, according to Damola.