AKFI and Mashal Sports Launch Elite Kabaddi Camp at Inspire Institute Ahead of Asian Games 2026
The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) and Mashal Sports have completed a high-performance strength and conditioning camp at the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS) in Bellary, Karnataka, bringing together India’s leading men’s and women’s kabaddi prospects for an intensive seven-day programme that ran from 27 March to 2 April. The camp marks a significant step in India’s preparations for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya.
PKL Stars Form the Core of the Camp
Several marquee Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) names were part of the men’s contingent. Naveen Kumar, Arjun Deshwal, Pawan Sehrawat, Aslam Inamdar, Sunil Kumar, Ashu Malik and Bharat Hooda trained alongside emerging athletes identified through recent national championships. Their presence in the camp reflects the depth of talent that the kabaddi ecosystem has built through the PKL.
The women’s squad included members of the Indian team that won the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup, led by captain Ritu Negi. Sonali Vishnu Shingate, Pushpa Rana, Champa Thakur, Pinki Roy, Priya and Karthika R were among the attendees. AKFI President Vipul Vineet Jain described the initiative as “a crucial move to elevate the standard of Indian kabaddi.”
Modern Training Methods at World-Class Facility
The Inspire Institute of Sport, a 42-acre facility in Bellary, provided athletes with access to sports science labs, recovery centres and data-driven training tools. The camp focused on improving explosive power, aerobic capacity and injury prevention using modern strength and conditioning protocols. Coaches integrated GPS tracking and load management systems during practice sessions to optimise athlete workloads, reinforcing India’s growing commitment to evidence-based sports science.
The partnership between AKFI and Mashal Sports — the organisers of the PKL — is intended to bridge the gap between franchise-level preparation and national-team readiness. PKL franchises have historically employed international S&C coaches, and the camp aimed to standardise those methods across the national programme.
Asian Games 2026: India Seeks to Defend Dominance
India has won gold in kabaddi at every Asian Games since the sport’s inclusion in 1990, a streak the federation is determined to maintain in Nagoya. The camp is the first of several planned by AKFI, with a longer residential camp expected in June once the 72nd Senior Nationals conclude.
The Senior Nationals, recently held in Vadodara, were won by Indian Railways in the men’s category, beating Maharashtra by 18 points in the final. The tournament provided the latest form guide for national selectors building the Asian Games squad.
India’s multi-sport Asian Games preparations continue across disciplines, with India winning five medals at the Asian Wrestling Championships and the ESFI selecting its Asian Games esports squad. The kabaddi camp represents another piece of an increasingly coordinated national effort. PKL Season 12’s viewership records and international expansion suggest the sport’s fan base and commercial infrastructure are growing in tandem with on-field ambitions.
- Snack Tourism Takes India by Storm in 2026 as State Boards Promote Street Food Trails and Heritage Markets - April 10, 2026
- AKFI and Mashal Sports Launch Elite Kabaddi Camp at Inspire Institute Ahead of Asian Games 2026 - April 10, 2026
- India Approves Rs 100 Billion State-Backed Venture Capital Fund to Supercharge Deep Tech and Manufacturing Startups - April 9, 2026
