New Delhi, July 2 :The Asian Kabaddi League unveiled Women’s Chapter 1, a dedicated international professional league for women’s kabaddi, at a press conference at the Constitution Club of India. Matches will be held from 1 to 16 August 2026 and telecast in prime time, with Sony as the official broadcasting partner.
The league was launched in association with the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India , the South East Asian Kabaddi Federation and the state kabaddi associations of Jharkhand, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh. Representatives of the participating federations and state associations were felicitated at the event in recognition of their support.
AKL – Women’s Chapter 1 has a single objective: to promote and develop women’s kabaddi at the international level. While most professional kabaddi leagues worldwide remain focused on the men’s game, AKL is introducing a dedicated women’s competition to give women athletes equal opportunity, international exposure and a genuinely professional platform — an aim aligned with the wider national push for women’s empowerment and sports development.
The Announcement
Introducing the league, Vikram Vijay Chandan, President – Growth & Media, AKL, said AKL will bring together the finest women kabaddi players and team heads from across Asia, telecast by Sony in prime time.
“AKL – Women’s Chapter 1 is a professional platform that unites the finest women kabaddi players and team heads from across Asia. With Sony as our broadcaster and matches in prime time, we are determined to give women’s kabaddi the stage, visibility and respect it deserves.”— Vikram Vijay Chandan, President – Growth & Media, AKL
Dr. Praveen Shetty, League Chairman, welcomed the representatives from the participating states and reaffirmed the league’s founding belief — that talent exists in every region and deserves an equal, professional platform.
Players Welcome a Long-Awaited Platform
International kabaddi player Suman Shokeen said women players had long awaited a professional league of this scale, calling AKL a fresh beginning that will inspire more young girls to take up the sport.
“Women players have waited a long time for a professional league of this scale. AKL is a fresh beginning — it gives us a stage to show what we can do and will encourage many more young girls to take up kabaddi.”— Suman Shokeen, International Kabaddi Player
Shri Narayanan thanked the organisers and the state kabaddi associations — with particular appreciation for the Tamil Nadu Kabaddi Association — and noted that players from Southeast Asian countries will feature alongside Indian players.
Format and Next Steps
Kuldeep Rana confirmed that invitations have been extended to the participating teams and that the final team list will be announced shortly. The league will be telecast on Sony Sports; prize money and the official tip-off event will be announced separately. Future editions are planned in a home-and-away format, with the goal of establishing AKL as a high-quality, fully professional women’s league.
JC Sharma said the league will create more tournaments and playing opportunities for women, helping them prepare for professional competition and opening pathways to financial growth, recognition and employment. A dedicated booth for guests and promotional activity was also set up at the venue.
Geetanjali Sharma, Chairperson of National Anti Doping Agency said the league will create valuable opportunities for woman in the country, the whole idea of women empowerment and the way league is designed to enable the woman from the grassroots. She praised the organisers on following the footsteps of Honourable Prime Minister and his views on Women Empowerment