Gold Is the Goal: Indian Kabaddi Team Prepares for Asian Games 2026

Gandhinagar, September 15 – The Indian men’s kabaddi team is sharpening its skills ahead of the Aichi‑Nagoya Asian Games, with veteran player Pawan Seharawat underscoring that the desire for gold acts as a catalyst for performance rather than a source of stress. He pointed out that the nation’s confidence in the team is a testament to its growing stature in the sport.

Seharawat, an Arjuna Award winner, said, “When the entire country expects us to bring home gold, it becomes a source of motivation. Wearing the Indian jersey fills me with a sense of duty because we are representing millions of people.”

Since September 5, the twelve‑man squad has been training at the Sports Authority of India’s centre in Gandhinagar, focusing on building tight coordination and unwavering trust. Seharawat, who set a record of 39 red points in a professional league game, noted that time spent together in camp has turned the group into a well‑balanced combination.

“The team is confident, we practice together every day and rely on each other. Our single aim is gold, and that common purpose makes us stronger,” he added.

India’s kabaddi legacy at the Asian Games is unrivaled, with a combined haul of eleven gold medals, one silver and one bronze across men’s and women’s events. The upcoming competition will commence on September 21, with the final scheduled for September 26.

The roster includes captain Sunil Kumar, Pawan Seharawat, Ankit Jaglan, Aslam Inamdar, Ashu Malik, Ayan Lohchab, Devank Dalal, Arjun Deshwale, Jaydeep Dahiya, Rahul Sethpal, Gaurav Khatri and Sumit Sangwan.