Iran women’s kabaddi team trains in India ahead of Asian Games

A 15-member Iranian women’s kabaddi squad has been training at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Sonipat, Haryana, since August 13, preparing for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games starting September 19. The team, a medal contender, was granted permission by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India to travel after the US-Iran conflict disrupted their training and raised safety concerns for their families. The players have requested anonymity and have been kept away from public view during their week-long camp.

The Times of India reports the team lost nearly three months of training due to the geopolitical instability, with some players unaware of their families' safety for weeks. The squad practices twice daily and plays friendly matches against local players. National Herald India quotes head coach Gholamreza Mazandarani, who said over 80% of the squad is new since the last Asian Games, and praised India’s kabaddi ecosystem, estimating over 10 million players in India compared to 4,000 in Iran. The camp has drawn media attention due to Iran’s role in the West Asian crisis.