By Jacob Ajom

The Nigeria Kabaddi Sports Association has announced its intention to participate in the 4th Africa Kabaddi Championship scheduled to hold in Kinshasa, DR Congo from June 20 to 28, 2026.

Already, preparations for the championship, which will also serve as a World Cup Qualifier have been intensified for Team Nigeria.

President of the Association, Godfrey Osakwe, disclosed that Nigerian athletes and officials who have been camping have high hopes of making the nation proud and securing qualification for the World Cup.

According to him, Kabaddi remains a fast-growing global sport with immense potential to positively engage young people, promote peace, foster intercultural dialogue, and strengthen international cooperation through sports diplomacy.

He noted that Team Nigeria’s participation in the continental championship will not only showcase the country’s sporting talent but also project Nigeria positively on the African and global stage.

The Association, however, appealed to corporate organisations, sports enthusiasts, philanthropists, and well-meaning Nigerians to support the team financially and materially to ensure successful participation at the championship.

“Sports remains a veritable platform for youth empowerment, national unity, and international engagement. Supporting Team Nigeria is an investment in the future of our youths and the growth of emerging sports in the country,” Osakwe stated.

He further emphasized that sponsorship and partnership support would assist in logistics, training, kits, travel arrangements, accommodation, feeding, insurance, and other essential preparations for the championship.

Osakwe explained that Kabaddi is a traditional contact team sport that originated in ancient India and has evolved into an internationally recognised game played across Asia, Africa, Europe, and other parts of the world.

In the game, two teams compete on a rectangular court, taking turns to send a player known as a “raider” into the opponent’s half. The raider must tag opponents and return safely to their side while continuously chanting “kabaddi, kabaddi” in one breath, while defenders attempt to stop and tackle the raider before returning.

Raiders score points by successfully touching opponents and returning safely, while defenders earn points by stopping the raider. The team with the highest points at the end of the contest emerges victorious.

The Nigeria Kabaddi Sports Association reaffirmed its commitment to developing Kabaddi across the country and providing opportunities for Nigerian youths to excel in international sporting competitions.

The Association called on government agencies, corporate bodies, private organisations, and patriotic Nigerians to rally support for Team Nigeria as they embark on the mission to conquer Africa and qualify for the World Cup.