Women Kabaddi The 10-day spectacle of the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025 concluded on Monday in Dhaka, marking a historic moment for the sport. While India successfully defended their crown by defeating a resilient Chinese Taipei in the final, the true winner of the tournament was arguably the host nation itself.
After a hiatus of over a decade—since the inaugural edition in Patna, India, in 2012—the Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation (BKF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, took the bold step to bring women’s kabaddi back to the global stage. The result was a tournament that international observers, players, and officials are calling “flawless” and “better than World Cup standard.”
Women Kabaddi Tournament Summary
| Category | Details |
| Host Nation | Bangladesh (Dhaka) |
| Champion | India |
| Runner-Up | Chinese Taipei |
| Best Raider | I Min Lin (Chinese Taipei) |
| Debut Teams | Kenya, Germany |
| Key Venue Feature | Free entry for spectators |
| Organizer | Bangladesh Kabaddi Federation (BKF) & Ministry of Youth & Sports |
India’s Dominance and Chinese Taipei’s Historic Rise
As expected, the Indian women’s team showcased why they are the undisputed queens of the mat, securing the championship trophy. However, the narrative of the tournament was the meteoric rise of Chinese Taipei.
In the previous edition, Chinese Taipei exited in the group stages. This year, they stormed into the finals, marking a massive improvement in their tactical gameplay. Much of this credit goes to their coach, David Sai. A former national player for Taipei, Sai spent two seasons playing in India’s prestigious Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) starting in 2009.
“I used my experience from the Indian Pro Kabaddi League to transform the team. In Taipei, Kabaddi isn’t very popular and lacks support, but we proved what we are capable of.” – David Sai, Coach, Chinese Taipei
The tournament also saw individual brilliance, with Chinese Taipei’s I Min Lin bagging the coveted Best Raider award.
Global Praise for Bangladesh’s “World-Class” Hospitality
What set this tournament apart was the overwhelming positive feedback regarding the logistics, hospitality, and atmosphere provided by Bangladesh. Teams from diverse cultures—from Europe to Africa—found a home in Dhaka.
1. India: “Top-Tier Arrangements”
India’s World Cup-winning coach, Tejaswini Bai, was effusive in her praise for the local organizers. “Bangladesh has organized a fantastic tournament. The arrangements were top-tier. The climate, the accommodation, and the food were all thoroughly enjoyable. Bangladesh has proven that they have the capability to host major international tournaments.”
2. Iran: “We Enjoyed Every Moment”
Iran, always a heavyweight in the world of Kabaddi, felt a deep connection with the local culture. Asma Fakhri, an Iranian star, commented: “The people here are so sincere. We enjoyed our time here together. I hope other countries follow Bangladesh’s example in the future when hosting such events.”
3. Chinese Taipei: Overwhelmed by Crowd Support
For players coming from nations where Kabaddi is a niche sport, the roaring crowds in Dhaka were a culture shock in the best possible way. I Min Lin, the tournament’s Best Raider, became emotional when speaking about the fans: “I was surprised by the hospitality. It was completely different from what I heard in the news. Seeing so many people cheering for Bangladesh made me think—if our people supported us like this, we would go so much further.”
4. The Newcomers: Kenya and Germany
The World Cup also welcomed debutants like Kenya and Germany, proving the sport is expanding its global footprint.
- Mercy Akinyi Obiero (Kenya Captain): “The experience was great. The weather is just like Kenya, so it felt like I was in my own country. It was our first World Cup, and our goal was to enjoy every moment.”
- Emma Atle (Germany Captain): “Everything was extraordinary. We were nervous entering the court at first, but we ended up enjoying it immensely.”
Add this section after “A Triumph for the Organizers”
Glittering Closing Ceremony and Individual Accolades The tournament concluded with a vibrant closing ceremony at the Shaheed Suhrawardi Indoor Stadium, attended by high-profile dignitaries including Md Mahbub-ul-Alam, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports. The atmosphere was electric as the players were honored not just for team performance but individual brilliance. While India lifted the championship trophy, individual awards highlighted the diverse talent on display. India’s Sanju Devi was adjudged the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament for her all-around dominance. The Best Raider award went to Chinese Taipei’s I Min Lin, whose agility stunned opponents throughout the group stages. Meanwhile, the host nation had its moment of glory as Bangladesh’s M Srity Akter was named the Best Defender, a testament to the local team’s grit despite their semi-final exit.
Add this section before “Conclusion”
Statistical Dominance and Global Expansion The 2025 edition was statistically significant as it marked the first time the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup was hosted outside India, featuring 11 participating nations from Asia, Europe, and Africa. This diversity signals a massive shift in the sport’s global footprint. India remained the only unbeaten team, winning all their group matches with crushing margins, including a 65-20 win over Thailand and a 43-18 victory over Bangladesh. On the other hand, Chinese Taipei emerged as the tournament’s “dark horse,” topping Group B with a perfect record before upsetting the hosts in the semi-finals. The participation of non-traditional nations like Poland, Uganda, and Zanzibar (who secured a win against Poland) proves that Kabaddi is rapidly breaking its South Asian shackles to become a truly global sport.
A Triumph for the Organizers
The accolades didn’t just come from the players. The highest praise came from the governing body itself. Mohammad Sarwar Rana, the Secretary General of the Asian Kabaddi Federation (AKF), gave the organizers a glowing report card.
“The management was absolutely World Cup standard—perhaps even better than that. Bangladesh has proven that they are capable of hosting massive Kabaddi events in the future.” – Mohammad Sarwar Rana, Secretary General, AKF
Filling the Galleries
Kabaddi is Bangladesh’s national sport, yet it often struggles to compete with the glamour of Cricket and Football. However, the BKF succeeded in drawing massive crowds for every match. Despite strict security measures, the federation opened the gallery gates for free, ensuring the players performed in front of an electric, packed stadium—a move that significantly boosted the tournament’s energy.
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Conclusion:
The 2025 Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in Dhaka will be remembered not just for India’s victory, but for the resurrection of the women’s game on the global stage. Bangladesh has set a high bar for future hosts, proving that with passion and proper management, Kabaddi can attract global attention and provide a world-class experience for athletes.
As the teams depart Dhaka, they leave with memories of warm hospitality, fierce competition, and the realization that Kabaddi has a vibrant home in Bangladesh.
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