In a decisive move to strengthen India’s preparation for the upcoming Asian Games, the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI), in collaboration with Mashal Sports, has rolled out an elite Strength & Conditioning Camp at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Bellary.
The week-long initiative, running from March 27 to April 2, brings together the country’s top men’s and women’s kabaddi probables in a structured, high-performance environment.
The camp marks a clear shift in India’s kabaddi ecosystem toward a more scientific and data-driven approach to athlete development. Traditionally dominated by skill and match experience, kabaddi training in India is now increasingly integrating modern strength and conditioning methodologies, recovery protocols, and performance analytics elements that are critical at the elite international level.
With the Asian Games scheduled later this year in Japan, this camp assumes added significance. It is not merely a preparatory exercise but part of a broader long-term strategy to enhance physical conditioning, reduce injury risks, and optimise on-mat performance for Indian players.
Speaking about the initiative, AKFI President Vibhor Vineet Jain emphasised the importance of aligning Indian kabaddi with global high-performance standards. “This camp is an important step in our preparations as we aim to raise the standard of kabaddi in India. By collaborating with Mashal Sports, we are ensuring that our athletes benefit from modern training techniques, scientific support systems, and a professional environment that is essential for success at the international level,” he said.
Mashal Sports, the driving force behind the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL), has played a key role in professionalising the sport over the past decade. Their involvement in this camp reflects a continued commitment to bridging the gap between domestic competition and international excellence.
Anupam Goswami, PKL League Commissioner and Business Head of Mashal Sports, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative. “This is not just about preparing a final squad for the Asian Games. We are working with 45 probables in both men’s and women’s categories, ensuring that the benefits of this camp extend to a larger pool of athletes. It is about building capacity across the system,” he said.
The selection of the Inspire Institute of Sport as the venue further underlines the intent behind the camp. IIS has emerged as one of India’s premier high-performance training centres, offering cutting-edge infrastructure, sports science support, and specialised coaching across disciplines. For kabaddi, a contact-intensive sport requiring explosive strength, agility, and endurance, such an environment provides a crucial competitive advantage.
The training programme is expected to focus on multiple dimensions of performance including strength development, mobility, injury prevention, recovery strategies, and mental conditioning. With kabaddi involving rapid directional changes, high-impact tackles, and sustained physical exertion, the integration of sports science becomes essential in maintaining peak performance over a long tournament.
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The camp also features several prominent names from the Pro Kabaddi League, reflecting the depth and quality of India’s talent pool. Among the men, stars such as Naveen Kumar, Arjun Deshwal, Pawan Sehrawat, Aslam Inamdar, Sunil Kumar, Ashu Malik, and Bharat Hooda headline the list. These players have consistently delivered high-level performances in the PKL and are expected to play key roles in India’s Asian Games campaign.
On the women’s side, the camp includes a strong contingent of experienced internationals and emerging talents. Leading the group is captain Ritu Negi, who guided India to success at the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup. She is joined by players like Sonali Vishnu Shingate, Pushpa Rana, Champa Thakur, Pinki Roy, Priya, and Karthika R, forming a balanced mix of leadership and youth.
This integration of experienced campaigners with rising players is a deliberate strategy aimed at building continuity within the national setup. By exposing a wider group of athletes to high-performance training environments, the federation is ensuring that India’s kabaddi pipeline remains robust and future-ready.
Importantly, the camp also reflects a growing recognition of the need for parity in preparation between men’s and women’s teams. With women’s kabaddi gaining increasing prominence globally, structured initiatives like this are vital in maintaining India’s competitive edge.
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Beyond immediate results, the initiative signals a broader evolution in Indian kabaddi. The collaboration between AKFI and Mashal Sports represents a convergence of governance and professional league ecosystems a model that has proven successful in other sports. By combining administrative support with technical expertise and commercial backing, the sport is moving towards a more sustainable and performance-oriented framework.
As the countdown to the Asian Games continues, this camp offers Indian kabaddi a crucial opportunity to fine-tune its physical and tactical readiness. With a strong talent base, improved infrastructure, and a growing emphasis on sports science, India will aim not just to compete, but to reaffirm its dominance on the continental stage.
The coming months will reveal the tangible impact of such initiatives, but the direction is clear Indian kabaddi is preparing with intent, structure, and ambition.
