Kabaddi Scotland

• Membership number 7273
• Charity registered in Scotland SC052319

Kabaddi Scotland – Strategic Plan Realising Kabaddi’s Potential: A Long-Term Vision for Success (2022–2032) Kabaddi is one of the fastest-growing sports globally, with aspirations to be included in the Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games. Historically, the sport featured in the 1936 Berlin Olympics and has since seen a resurgence, particularly with the rise of the Pro Kabaddi League in India, where significant investment from Star Sports, the largest sports broadcaster in India, has positioned Kabaddi as a mainstream sport, rivalling cricket in television viewership. The recent 2025 Kabaddi World Cup in the West Midlands had an incredible global reach of over 1 billion.

The sport is currently played in 56 countries across five continents, in three recognised styles: National, Circle, and Beach Kabaddi. In the UK, Kabaddi has a strong presence within universities and South Asian communities, contributing to its increasing popularity.

Scotland has been competing in international Kabaddi for over a decade. The sport’s growth accelerated following the successful hosting of the 2019 European Kabaddi Championships in Glasgow and the 2021 European Championships. The launch of the British Kabaddi League (BKL) in 2022 further solidified Kabaddi’s footprint in the UK, with four major events—Wolverhampton, Oldham, Birmingham, and the Grand Final in Glasgow—all receiving domestic and international broadcast coverage on the BBC.

Vision

Kabaddi Scotland envisions Kabaddi as an inclusive and widely accessible sport that reflects Scotland’s multicultural society. Through its deep cultural roots and accessibility, Kabaddi will become a sport for all, regardless of economic background, gender, or cultural identity. Our ambition is to develop the mental and physical resilience of all participants, creating positive pathways for individuals and fostering stronger connections between communities across Scotland.

Core Values

• Integrity – We operate with transparency, honesty, and accountability.
• Inclusion – Kabaddi is for everyone, regardless of background, gender, or ability.
• Excellence – We strive for the highest standards in performance and governance.
• Empowerment – We equip individuals with skills and opportunities to succeed.
• Resilience – We embrace challenges and drive long-term sustainability.
• Community – We connect people, fostering unity and positive social impact. Mission

Kabaddi Scotland aims to:

• Expand membership and participation across Scotland.
• Promote the game through engagement, education, and outreach initiatives.
• Sustain the sport with a robust and empowered organisational structure.
• Ensure Kabaddi is played by everyone, everywhere, fostering a pathway for Scottish athletes to compete at the highest level internationally.

Development Priorities

1. Club & Community Partnerships – Strengthen relationships with existing sports clubs and community sports hubs to introduce and expand Kabaddi participation. This includes supporting clubs to establish Kabaddi teams, providing coaching education, and integrating Kabaddi into multi-sport environments.

2. HE/FE Sector Engagement – Expand Kabaddi within universities and colleges by creating competitive opportunities, forming student-led clubs, and integrating Kabaddi into physical education and sport degree programs. This will provide a pathway for young athletes while ensuring long-term sustainability.

3. Coaching & Officiating Pathways – Develop and deliver accredited coaching and refereeing programs, ensuring that clubs, schools, and universities have qualified personnel to grow the sport at all levels.

Links

• kabaddiscotland.co.uk
• facebook.com/KabaddiScotland/?locale=en_GB

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