Freetown, Sierra Leone, July 2nd, 2025 – In a landmark achievement for Sierra Leonean sports, the Sierra Leone Kabaddi Association has officially gained international recognition from World Kabaddi, the global governing body of the sport.
Speaking to the press, President of the Sierra Leone Kabaddi Association, Sonny Johnson, expressed elation over the milestone. “As an association, we are thrilled by this recognition. It is a testament to our hard work and dedication to promoting Kabaddi across the country,” he said.
Kabaddi, a fast-paced contact sport that blends elements of wrestling and tag, has steadily grown in popularity in Sierra Leone since its introduction. From 2012 to 2014, the national team represented Sierra Leone in four international tournaments held in India, demonstrating the country’s growing commitment to the sport.
Looking ahead, the association is intensifying preparations for the Beach Kabaddi World Cup 2025, scheduled to take place in Malaysia from August 26 to September 1, 2025. The tournament will be organized by World Kabaddi in partnership with the Malaysia Kabaddi Federation (MKF), and event management will be handled by Olivereth Pvt Ltd.
According to President Johnson, the team is currently undergoing rigorous training in anticipation of the global event, which is expected to host up to 16 men’s and 16 women’s teams from across the world.
To ensure wide visibility and promotion, World Kabaddi has urged all national federations to integrate event branding into their local Kabaddi activities. This includes using the official logo on printed materials and ensuring a standardized selection process for national teams.
Participating teams will be provided with local transportation, accommodation, and meals during the tournament. However, all teams must be officially registered in their respective countries, and all members are expected to acknowledge World Kabaddi as the sole international authority governing the sport.
The Sierra Leone Kabaddi Association sees this recognition as a stepping stone to expanding the sport nationwide and elevating Sierra Leone’s profile on the international Kabaddi scene.
“We are not just aiming to participate—we want to compete, inspire, and grow Kabaddi into a household name here in Sierra Leone,” Johnson affirmed. BT/2/7/2025
