Rajasthan Kabaddi Players Earn Coveted Spots in Indian Beach Kabaddi Squad for Asian Games
In a momentous development for sports in the state, four talented kabaddi players from Rajasthan have secured their places in the Indian national team for the upcoming fifth Asian Beach Kabaddi Games. The prestigious international tournament is scheduled to take place in Sanya, China, from April 22 to 27, 2024.
Meet the Selected Athletes from Rajasthan
The selection committee has chosen three male players and one female player from Rajasthan to represent India on the continental stage. Bijendra Singh Choudhary, Jitendra Yadav, and Jai Bhagwan have been picked for the Indian men's beach kabaddi team, demonstrating exceptional skill and dedication. Meanwhile, Manpreet Kaur has earned her spot in the Indian women's squad, showcasing the growing depth of talent in the state.
Official Recognition and State Pride
Tejasvi Singh Gehlot, who serves as the director of the International Kabaddi Federation and president of the Rajasthan Olympic Association, confirmed the selections. He emphasized that these players were chosen based on their consistent outstanding performances at the national level over recent years.
Gehlot expressed immense pride, stating, "This is a proud moment for the entire state of Rajasthan. The selection of these four players in the Indian team will serve as a powerful inspiration for our youth. I am fully confident that these athletes will bring laurels to both Rajasthan and the nation through their performances in the tournament."
Rajasthan's Dominant National Kabaddi Record
The selection comes as no surprise given Rajasthan kabaddi teams' remarkable achievements at the national level over the past two years. The state teams have demonstrated exceptional prowess through multiple championship victories:
- Gold medals at the 2024 National Championships held in Bodhgaya, Bihar
- Gold medals at the 38th National Games in Rishikesh-Shivpuri, Uttarakhand, in 2025
- Silver medal at the National Games 2026 in Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Gold medals in both men's and women's categories at Khelo India Daman-Diu 2026
Boosting Beach Kabaddi Infrastructure and Enthusiasm
Gehlot highlighted the growing popularity of beach kabaddi in Rajasthan and outlined plans for further development. "Enthusiasm for beach kabaddi is continuously increasing across our state. Following this selection, we anticipate this sport will gain new momentum at school and college levels as well. Our concerted effort will focus on developing better infrastructure and enhanced training facilities specifically for beach kabaddi throughout Rajasthan," he explained.
The Rajasthan Olympic Association president further committed to supporting talented athletes, stating that the association would provide all possible support to help these players achieve their full potential.
National Federation Leaders Extend Congratulations
The achievement has drawn praise from national kabaddi authorities as well. Vibhor Jain, president of the Kabaddi Federation of India, and Jitendra Singh Brar, president of the Rajasthan Kabaddi Association, both extended their heartfelt congratulations to the selected players.
Both officials attributed this international recognition to the strong infrastructure and comprehensive training programs for kabaddi that have been established in Rajasthan over recent years.
Complete Indian Beach Kabaddi Teams for Asian Games
Indian Women's Beach Kabaddi Team: Ritu, Manisha Kumari, Nikita (all from Haryana), Manpreet Kaur (Rajasthan), Simran Kamboj (Punjab), and Nikita Chauhan (Himachal Pradesh). The team will be coached by Tejaswini V Bai and managed by Devta Naik.
Indian Men's Beach Kabaddi Team: Brijendra Singh Choudhary, Jitendra Yadav, Jai Bhagwan (all from Rajasthan), Neeraj (Haryana), Bhanu Pratap Tomar (Uttar Pradesh), and Yatharth Deshwal (Uttarakhand). The team will be coached by Rakesh Kumar and managed by Naseeb.
This selection represents a significant milestone for Rajasthan's sports development and highlights the state's growing contribution to India's international kabaddi success.
