Uganda’s Gladiators and She Gladiators travelled to India to begin their quest for Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship honours on Friday, with the men taking on Malaysia and the women facing Singapore in their opening matches in India in Ahmedabad.
Both squads earned their invitation to the tournament through their rising continental dominance and international qualification pathways.
The Gladiators cemented their status by securing the silver medal at the 2026 Africa Kabaddi Cup of Nations in Zanzibar, while the She Gladiators established themselves as a powerhouse by successfully qualifying for major global events, including the Women’s World Cup.
The Gladiators, captained by Douglas Mulalira, will meet Malaysia at 9:30 p.m., while the She Gladiators, led by Olivia Nalubega, take on Singapore at 3:30 p.m. as the nine-day championship gets underway.
The two national teams were flagged off to India a week ago, carrying Uganda’s hopes at the 2026 championship, which runs from October 23 to 31.
According to the Kabaddi Federation of Uganda, Uganda’s men’s team is known as the Gladiators, while the women’s side is called the She Gladiators.
Both teams have been drawn in Group A, where they face challenging group-stage assignments against familiar international opposition.
The She Gladiators will compete against Singapore, Nigeria, Malaysia and hosts India, while the Gladiators will face Malaysia, India, Tanzania and Sri Lanka.
Tough tests ahead
For Nalubega and her teammates, the opening match against Singapore will set the tone for their campaign. They will face India on Sunday, October 25, at 6:45 p.m.
The women will then take on Malaysia on Monday, October 26, at 3:30 p.m. before facing Nigeria on Wednesday, October 28, at 2:00 p.m.
Mulalira’s men also face a demanding schedule. After their opening encounter against Malaysia on Friday, they will meet India on Saturday, October 24, at 8:30 p.m. before taking on Sri Lanka on Sunday, October 25, at noon.
The Gladiators will return to action against England on Monday, October 26, at 1:00 p.m., followed by matches against Tanzania on Wednesday, October 28, at 8:30 p.m. and Nigeria on Thursday, October 29, at 6:00 p.m.
The She Gladiators and Gladiators have never faced Singapore and Malaysia, respectively. Therefore, it is a big step in their growth. All matches will be streamed on JioHotstar, with selected fixtures also available on SS.
Uganda’s travelling squads
Nalubega leads a 14-player women’s squad that includes Dorothy Nagawa, Nahia Nalwoga, Jemima Zalwango, Shirat Nakayongo, Muhammed Botul, Ademun Kolostika, Beatrice Namataka, Jesca Nayiga, Faustine Nabasa, Catherine Nabowa, Salim Namuleme Walda, Cathy Nabwegamo and Sandra Mbatudde.
The men’s team is also made up of 14 players, with Mulalira captaining a squad that includes Jimmy Ssengendo, Frank Kamoga, Mubarak Wandeka, Stanley Gombe, Mark Carnol Okidi, Innocent Ngabirano, Derrick Ibanda, Gasta Tenywa, Rayan Tamusuza, Rahim Ssekamatte, Isaac Wanyaka, Simon Mutebi and Valentino Semujju.
Both teams will need consistent performances throughout the group stage to secure places in the semi-finals.
Finals in sight
The group stage runs from Friday, October 23, to Thursday, October 29, with the semi-finals scheduled for Friday, October 30.
In the women’s competition, the Group A winners will face the Group B runners-up at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Group B winners against the Group A runners-up at 6:45 p.m.
The men’s semi-finals will follow at 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., with the Group A winners facing the Group B runners-up in the first match.
The championship will conclude on Saturday, October 31, with the women’s final at 7:30 p.m. and the men’s final at 9:00 p.m.