India women's Kabaddi captain Pushpa Rana on 26 September 2026 called for Kabaddi's inclusion in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) and the Olympic Games, hours after India clinched a record-extending fourth consecutive gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 in Tokai, Japan. The team defeated 2018 Asian Games champions Iran 37-34 in a closely contested final at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium, successfully defending the gold they won at the 2023 Hangzhou Games.

Pushpa Rana's Call for Global Recognition

Speaking immediately after the victory, captain Pushpa Rana pointed to the rising competitiveness of Kabaddi across nations as evidence that the sport is ready for a bigger stage. 'Iran is a very good team. They have produced some strong matches against us. Chinese Taipei is also doing very well. There is already improvement in all the countries. And we want Kabaddi to grow very well in all the countries so that Kabaddi can come to the Commonwealth Games and Olympics in the future,' she said.

Rana's remarks reflect a growing sentiment within Indian Kabaddi circles — that confining the sport to Asian continental competitions limits both its global appeal and the opportunities available to its athletes.

Demand for a Women's Pro Kabaddi League

Beyond Olympic inclusion, Rana also pressed for a full-fledged Women's Pro Kabaddi League, drawing a direct parallel with the established men's circuit. 'We want to get a good platform for children like the Pro Kabaddi, and women should get the same platform that the boys have got for Pro Kabaddi. Kabaddi should be added to the Commonwealth Games and Olympics. This is our demand,' she stated.

The absence of a women's equivalent to the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) has long been cited by players and coaches as a structural gap that limits talent development and professional pathways for women in the sport.

How India Won the Gold

The final against Iran was a tightly fought affair, with India prevailing 37-34 at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium. According to Rana, the team entered every match of the tournament with a singular focus on gold. 'This was in our minds from the beginning. We played all the matches with the same mindset. We wanted to win every match even if the opposition team was strong. Every player knew how to bring the match in our favour,' she said.

Rana acknowledged the weight of expectation that comes with India's dominant Kabaddi legacy. 'Yes, the silver would have been less. Kabaddi has mostly brought gold, so the pressure of that thing is always there. And all the Indians hoped that we would bring gold,' she noted, before crediting the support of coaches, the federation, and the government. She dedicated the gold medal to the entire nation.

What This Gold Means for Indian Kabaddi

India's fourth consecutive Asian Games gold in women's Kabaddi cements the team's status as the dominant force on the continental stage. Notably, this win comes at a time when regional rivals are rapidly closing the gap — Iran's 37-34 scoreline is evidence that the margin of superiority is narrowing, lending further credibility to Rana's argument that global competitive structures are now warranted.

With the next Commonwealth Games and Olympic cycles approaching, the campaign for Kabaddi's inclusion in both events is likely to intensify, backed by this latest gold and the sport's expanding international footprint.