Commonwealth Kabaddi: Nidhi Sharma Leads India Into The Final
India and Uganda to Meet in Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship Women’s Final
India beat Sri Lanka 39-14, while Uganda survived a late Kenyan fightback to win 23-21 in Ahmedabad.
India Women will face Uganda Women in the final of the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 after both teams won their semi-finals at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad on Friday, October 30.
India defeated Sri Lanka 39-14, while Uganda held off Kenya 23-21 in a match that remained in doubt until the closing moments.
The two teams will meet for the gold medal on Saturday, October 31, at 7:30 PM IST. India will enter the final with confidence after beating Uganda 41-18 during the group stage. Uganda, however, will have another chance to test the Indian side in what could be a much closer contest.
The women’s final is part of the first Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship, which has brought national teams from across the Commonwealth to Ahmedabad. The tournament runs from October 23 to 31 and features men’s and women’s competitions.
For India, a victory would add another title to its record in international kabaddi. Uganda’s place in the final also gives the African team a chance to win the first women’s Commonwealth crown.
The day’s first semi-final between Uganda and Kenya produced a close contest, with both sides fighting hard for a place in the final.
Uganda won 23-21 after leading 12-9 at half-time. The team extended its lead to 18-12 with seven minutes remaining, but Kenya refused to give up.
Lavenda Odhiambo led Kenya’s attack with 16 raid points from 25 raids. Her tally included six bonus points. She scored 11 of those points after the break as Kenya outscored Uganda 9-5 during the final seven minutes.
Uganda’s defence and raiding were tested as Kenya closed the gap. Yet the team managed to hold on to its narrow lead.
Nakayongo Shirat and Nalwoga Nahia scored eight points each for Uganda. Nahia came off the bench and earned all her points in the second half. Captain Nalubega Olivia added three tackle points.
Uganda scored 17 raid points and four tackle points. The team also inflicted one All-Out on Kenya.
Kenya’s Lizzeanne Owino added two tackle points, but her side could not find the points needed to turn the match around.
The final score reflected how close the contest had been. Both teams finished level on raid points, while Uganda’s first-half All-Out and its perfect record in do-or-die raids proved decisive. Uganda succeeded in all five of its do-or-die raids.
The result was a hard-fought win for Uganda, which had to withstand a late push from a Kenyan team determined to reach the final.
India’s semi-final against Sri Lanka followed a different pattern.
India took control early and led 24-7 at half-time. The team continued to score steadily after the break, finishing with a 39-14 victory.
Sakshi led India’s scoring with 11 points, including eight raid points and three tackle points. Captain Nidhi Sharma added 10 points from 12 raids, with two bonus points.
Ritu played a key role in defence with four tackle points, while Suman contributed three.
India scored 21 raid points and 12 tackle points. The team also inflicted three All-Outs on Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka struggled to find regular scoring opportunities. The team managed only eight successful raids throughout the match.
Diluxshana finished as Sri Lanka’s top scorer with six points, including five bonus points. Priyavarna produced a Super Tackle, but the team could not stop India’s attack.
The result sent India into the final after a strong performance in both halves.
India captain Nidhi Sharma said she was pleased with the team’s progress but expected a different challenge against Uganda.
“I’m very happy; it feels really good to have reached the final. We have played Uganda before, but they will change their strategy because it’s the second time we’re facing them, so it will be a good match.”
India’s earlier 41-18 win over Uganda in the group stage gives the hosts a clear advantage on paper. However, the semi-final results show that Uganda can compete under pressure.
The championship has brought 10 women’s teams together in Ahmedabad, with the competition moving from the group stage to the semi-finals and now the final. The men’s event features 13 nations.
The tournament is endorsed by Commonwealth Sport and organised with the involvement of the International Kabaddi Federation and the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India. Its inaugural edition gives participating teams a chance to compete for the first Commonwealth titles in the sport.
Saturday’s women’s final will decide whether India adds another international title or Uganda claims the first Commonwealth women’s kabaddi crown.
The match begins at 7:30 PM IST at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad.
