SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd, the exclusive rights holder of the World Super Kabaddi League (WSKL) and the Uttar Pradesh Kabaddi League (UPKL), has announced the launch of the inaugural edition of WSKL. The league is scheduled to take place in February–March 2026 and will be hosted in Dubai.
WSKL is being positioned as an international platform for Kabaddi, with participation confirmed by 20 national federations and interest from nearly 30 countries. The initiative follows the UPKL, which was centred on domestic talent under the theme ‘Apna Bharat, Apna Khel’. WSKL aims to build on that foundation with a broader international scope.
The league is backed by the International Kabaddi Federation and holds commercial rights through the South Asian Kabaddi Federation. It will operate on a franchise model, featuring eight teams. Each team will include both Indian and international players.
WSKL is fully owned and managed by SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd, founded by Sambhav Jain. Speaking on the development, Sambhav Jain, Director and Founder of SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd, said, “Kabaddi has always deserved a larger stage not just for India but for the global sporting community. With WSKL, our goal is to reimagine the sport for a global audience, unlock international talent, and take decisive steps towards Olympic recognition. The success of UPKL gave us the foundation, but WSKL is about creating a Kabaddi league that belongs to the world. We are building this with a vision for the next decade, not just the next season.”
The total player purse across all eight teams is set at ₹48 crore. Countries that have confirmed participation or expressed interest include South Korea, Iran, Thailand, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, Canada, and the United States.
WSKL is intended to operate as a year-round sports property, with plans for ongoing activities outside the main tournament period to support player development and fan engagement.
SJ Uplift Kabaddi Pvt Ltd aims to establish WSKL as a structured international Kabaddi platform over the long term.
