The She Gladiators, Uganda’s national women’s Kabaddi team, are preparing for their debut at the 2025 Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in Rajgir, Bihar, India, in March. The team arrived at their training camp on January 28, 2025, and is currently undergoing intense strength and power training at Ridgeway School’s Matuga sports field. Under the leadership of their technical team, including Mr. John Nsibambi, Mr. Ephraim Makubuya, Ms. Namusisi Brenda, Mr. Kato Jacob (Vice President), and Mr. Pius Wakabi (President), the players are getting into peak physical condition in preparation for the tournament.
Ranked 6th globally and as Africa’s reigning champions, the She Gladiators are eager to prove themselves on the world stage. This will be Uganda’s first participation in the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup, an event that started in 2012 with India as the champions. The She Gladiators, along with teams from Kenya and Zanzibar, will represent Africa at the prestigious competition, which will feature 18 teams from around the world. Uganda’s entry into this global arena marks a monumental milestone for the sport in the country.
Despite the team’s strong performance, the Kabaddi Federation of Uganda faces significant financial challenges. The federation is seeking 120 million UGX to maintain the camp and provide full support for the team’s training. Financial backing from both the government and private sector is critical to ensure that the players can concentrate on their training without financial concerns, allowing them to compete at their best in India.
The She Gladiators’ participation in the World Cup is a turning point for Kabaddi in Uganda. As the team strives for success, their achievements have the potential to elevate the sport’s profile across the country. If they perform well on the world stage, it could lead to greater support and investment in Kabaddi, inspiring future generations of athletes to pursue the sport.
With the support of the government, sponsors, and the public, the She Gladiators are poised to make history. The upcoming World Cup presents a unique opportunity to showcase Uganda’s growing strength in Kabaddi, and the She Gladiators are ready to lead the way. The world is watching, and Uganda’s women Kabaddi team is set to shine on the global stage.
