Uganda’s Gladiators and She Gladiators made impressive starts to the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026, beating Malaysia and Singapore respectively on Friday in Ahmedabad, India.
The Gladiators defeated Malaysia 45-29, while the She Gladiators thrashed Singapore 61-12 at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex to give Uganda a winning start to the competition.
The championship, which runs from October 23 to 31, has brought together teams from across the Commonwealth, with Uganda aiming to make its mark in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
The She Gladiators delivered the day’s biggest statement for Uganda, scoring 61 points while limiting Singapore to just 12 in a one-sided encounter.
The men followed with a solid performance against Malaysia, winning by 16 points to begin their campaign on a positive note.
As Uganda celebrate their Day One wins, they will still have to lift their heads and face the upcoming tasks which are the hosts on both ends in the men and women.
Gladiators face hosts
Uganda’s men will face their toughest early test on Saturday when they take on hosts India at 8:00 p.m. Indian Standard Time (5:30 p.m. in Uganda).
They will return to action on Sunday, October 25, against Sri Lanka at noon before facing England on Monday, October 26, at 1:00 p.m.
The Gladiators will then meet Tanzania on Wednesday, October 28, at 8:00 p.m. before concluding their group fixtures against Nigeria on Thursday, October 29, at 6:00 p.m.
Gladiators are potted in Group A alongside Sri Lanka, India, Nigeria, Malaysia, England and Tanzania.
The matches will test Uganda’s ability to build on its opening victory as the team seeks to secure a place in the knockout stage.
India, meanwhile, will face Malaysia on Sunday before taking on Nigeria on Monday and Tanzania on Tuesday.
She Gladiators brace for India
The She Gladiators will also face the hosts, India, on Sunday, October 25, at 6:45 p.m. Indian Standard Time (4:15 p.m. in Uganda).
Before that showdown, Saturday’s women’s fixtures will see India face Singapore at 6:45 p.m., while Nigeria take on Malaysia at 6:00 p.m.
Uganda will return to the court against Malaysia on Monday, October 26, at 3:30 p.m. before facing Nigeria on Wednesday, October 28, at 2:00 p.m.
She Gladiators are in Group A alongside India, Nigeria, Singapore and Malaysia
After their emphatic opening win, the Ugandan women will look to maintain their form against increasingly challenging opposition.
The group matches will determine the teams that advance to the semi-finals on Friday, October 30.
The women’s semifinals are scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. Indian Standard Time, while the men’s matches will take place at 8:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
The women’s final will be played on Saturday, October 31, at 7:30 p.m., followed by the men’s final at 9:00 p.m.
Uganda could hardly have asked for a better start, with both teams recording convincing victories on the opening day.