The Malaysian seaside city of Port Dickson will be the venue for the inaugural Beach Kabaddi World Cup in August.
The prestigious tournament is being held under the patronage of World Kabaddi from September 23-28, 2025 with the support of the Malaysia Kabaddi Federation (MKF). Indian based sports management company Olivereth Pvt. Ltd. have been appointed as the event managers.
Twenty-three countries have confirmed participation in the tournament that would be held at the Glory Beach Resort in Port Dickson.
Apart from hosts Malaysia, the men’s competition will see 20 national teams including from India, Pakistan, China, USA, Australia, Egypt, Chinese Taipei, England, Sierra Leone and Kenya.
Among the 16 women’s team in the competition will include Malaysia, India, Pakistan. New Zealand, China, Nepal, Tanzania, England, Canada and Argentina.
The full roster of participating teams and the official draw is expected to take place in Port Dickson later next month.
World Kabaddi is excited to be able to stage the first Beach Kabaddi World Cup. This format of the game has its own charm and excitement and we hope that it would also help us to bring in a whole new demographic of players and spectators.
This will be the second time that Malaysia are hosting a major international kabaddi tournament, having also hosted the World Cup Kabaddi (national style) in Melaka in 2019
World Kabaddi president Dr Osama Said Hashem of Egypt said that the Beach Kabaddi World Cup is part of the continued effort by the organisation to promote the sport in all its format. Kabaddi is played in three formats – National Style (Asian Style), Circle Kabaddi and Beach Kabaddi.
“Under our auspices, the Kabaddi World Cup (National Style) was held successfully in the West Midlands, England in March. It was a grand success with India winning a double. We hope to see an exciting tournament in Malaysia for the beach version,” said Dr Osama.
His Excellency (YB) Dato Mustapha bin Nagoor, executive Member of the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly and the chair of the state Youth and Sports Development said that the state was happy to host a tournament of this stature.
“The tournament Is not only about sports but would be an important sports tourism event in the state. Port Dickson is a major beach side resort destination in Malaysia and with approximately 400 athletes coming from 23 countries around the world, the tournament will benefit the state immensely,” said Dato Mustapha.
The tournament is also expected to telecast live in numerous countries including in India, where the traditional sport of kabaddi originated. Kabaddi is the second most popular sport after cricket in the sub-continent. Efforts are ongoing to telecast the tournament live in various countries including in Europe, Pan America and Africa.
A total of 92 matches will take place during the five-day tournament with the finals scheduled on 31st August
“And with the tournament final scheduled to be held on Merdeka Day (Independence Day), the tournament will be a double celebration,” said Dato Mustapha.
Co-organising chairman S.T. Arasu, who is also the secretary general of World Kabaddi, added that closing date for teams to submit their final team list is on July 26 and the official draw would be held after verification of the team lists.
“This will be the biggest international to be held for any kabaddi tournament and naturally it takes a huge effort from all parties to make it a success. We would like to thank the MKF for consenting to be the host country. A special thanks also to Olivereth, who are responsible for the sponsorship and marketing of the event,” said Arasu.
MKF president Dr Paul Selvam Devadoss, who is also the co-chairman, said that getting the chance to host the Beach Kabaddi World Cup was something they could not pass by.
“We have been helping the World Kabaddi and the event managers with logistical support and hope to see the tournament as a stepping stone to promote and develop the game further in Malaysia,” said Dr Paul.
He added that the tournament would also give the Malaysian players a chance to improve themselves, playing against the top teams from around the globe. At least 10 Malaysian Technical Officials will also be officiating in the tournament.
Former Malaysian national coach Dr Ishwar Angadi has been appointed as the Technical Delegate and he will be assisted by Dr SK Manjunatha, who was a former Terengganu state Sukma coach.
Manish Sharma, the CEO of Olivereth added that his outfit were happy to support World Kabaddi in branding the sport of kabaddi internationally.
“We believe this will be the first of many more events to be jointly promoted by World Kabaddi and Olivereth not only in Malaysia but also globally,” said Manish.
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