— The Netherlands Kabaddi Federation has unveiled an ambitious 2027 calendar featuring a men’s Euro Cup, a women’s series and an international tournament in India, aiming to expand the sport’s footprint in Europe and strengthen ties with South Asia
By Wajih Ahmad Shiekh
The Netherlands Kabaddi Federation (NKF) is drawing up ambitious plans to take Dutch Kabaddi to the international stage in 2027, with an international tournament in India and the participation of a Dutch team among its key initiatives.
The federation has announced a packed calendar for next year, with the NKF Men’s Championship set to launch the Euro Cup in March, followed by the NKF Women’s Kabaddi Series in May and an international tournament in October 2027.
The initiative aims to promote Kabaddi beyond traditional strongholds, strengthen sporting ties between Europe and South Asia, and provide emerging Dutch players with exposure to international competition.
A key role in the initiative is being played by Mohammad Saeed, vice-president of the NKF, a former international Kabaddi player from Pakistan and an experienced coach.
Working alongside federation president Dalbir Singh, Saeed is contributing to player development, training, international networking and preparations for future competitions.
The proposed tournament in India is expected to provide the Netherlands team with an opportunity to test its mettle against international opponents and showcase the growing potential of Kabaddi in Europe.
The federation believes the sport can serve as a bridge between cultures and nations, bringing communities together through competition and shared sporting traditions.
Through its 2027 programme, the NKF hopes to attract greater participation from young men and women and build a stronger international presence for Dutch Kabaddi.
Its broader vision is to establish lasting sporting links between the Netherlands, India, Pakistan and other countries while giving Dutch players a bigger role in the global Kabaddi arena.
About the author: Wajih Ahmad Sheikh is a senior journalist associated with DAWN with more than two decades.
He writes on sports for digital platforms. He is found on X @wajihsheikh
He can be reached at [email protected]