280 Para-Athletes to Compete in India's National Kabaddi

When Padma Shri awardee Dr. Deepa Malik and medical technology leader Dr. Jitendra Sharma met at a foundation ceremony last year, they envisioned something powerful: a national stage where para-athletes could showcase their strength and skill. That vision becomes reality on January 23 when 280 para-kabaddi players gather in Andhra Pradesh for India's largest championship yet.

The third National Para Kabaddi tournament runs January 23 through 26 at the Andhra MedTech Zone. Twenty state teams will compete, bringing together athletes and 90 officials from across the country for four days of intense competition.

The tournament is organized by Wheeling Happiness Foundation and Andhra MedTech Zone under the Indian Para Kabaddi Association. Dr. Malik, who serves as IPKA President and is herself a Khel Ratna Awardee, helped bring the championship to the site of India's upcoming Para Sports Academy.

This year's event focuses exclusively on men with orthopedic limb differences. The athletes will demonstrate the speed, strategy, and teamwork that makes kabaddi one of India's most beloved traditional sports.

Previous championships in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh proved the appetite for para kabaddi competition. Each tournament has grown larger, drawing more participants and building momentum for the sport nationwide.

The Ripple Effect

The championship does more than crown winners. It creates a visible pipeline for talent development, helping scouts identify promising athletes who might otherwise go unnoticed in their home communities.

By hosting the event at a medical technology hub planning a dedicated Para Sports Academy, organizers signal long-term commitment to disability sport infrastructure. The location choice connects athletic competition with innovation in adaptive equipment and training facilities.

State teams competing together build networks that extend beyond the tournament. Athletes share training techniques, coaches exchange strategies, and officials develop standardized approaches that strengthen para kabaddi across India.

The tournament reinforces a simple but powerful message: athletes with disabilities deserve the same high-visibility platforms, competitive opportunities, and pathways to excellence as any other sportsperson. When 280 players take the court this week, they're not just competing for medals but expanding what's possible for the next generation of para-athletes across India.