Uganda’s national women’s kabaddi team, the She Gladiators, settled for a historic silver medal at the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship after falling 35-15 to hosts India in a thrilling final on Saturday in Ahmedabad.
The Ugandans had set their sights on capping a remarkable campaign with gold, but they encountered a relentless Indian side that maintained an unbeaten streak throughout the tournament to become the first women’s champions of the competition.
Despite the final defeat, the silver medal represents a significant milestone for the emerging sport in Uganda. The She Gladiators demonstrated impressive growth and tactical maturity to reach the final, negotiating a fiercely competitive group stage before defeating regional rivals Kenya in the semi-finals.
The final showcased the gap that remains between the burgeoning East African nation and the sport’s powerhouse. India, the reigning world champions, took control early in the match, building an insurmountable lead in the first half before keeping Uganda at arm’s length after the interval.
The hosts were led by Sakshi, who spearheaded the Indian attack with nine raid points from 10 raids. She was ably supported by Anu with six points and captain Nidhi Sharma with five, while defenders Ritu and Suman anchored the backline with four tackle points apiece.
Uganda struggled to contain India’s raiders early on, failing to register a single successful tackle from nine attempts in the opening half. The hosts surged to a 22-7 lead at half-time, powered by a 15-point scoring spell that included an All-Out. A second All-Out with less than 10 minutes remaining in the second half effectively dashed any lingering hopes of a Ugandan fightback.
Star raider Shirat Nakayongo delivered an outstanding solo effort for Uganda, scoring 11 of the team’s 15 total points from 24 raids, including three bonus points. However, the rest of the offensive unit managed just three points, with semi-final hero Nahia Nalwoga restricted to a single point. Jemima Zalwango registered Uganda’s only successful tackle of the match.
The Ugandans mounted a much-improved performance in the second half, outscoring India 7-6 on raid points, but the early damage proved too severe to overcome.
“Winning silver at the inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship is a big achievement for Uganda and a reflection of the progress our athletes have made,” said Uganda Kabaddi Federation general secretary Edgar Mujuni following the match. “We came here with ambitions of competing for the title, and although we fell short, reaching the final is an important milestone.”
Mujuni emphasized that the exposure to elite international competition will prove vital for the future of Ugandan kabaddi. “The experience gained from playing against established teams will be valuable as we continue developing the sport,” he added. “Our focus now should be on building on this performance, strengthening our domestic structures and creating more opportunities for our players to compete internationally.”
Uganda’s route to the final was highlighted by a nerve-shredding 23-21 victory over neighbours Kenya in the semi-finals. In that tense encounter, Nalwoga and Nakayongo chipped in eight points each, while captain Olivia Nalubega anchored the defense with three tackle points. The She Gladiators held a 12-9 half-time lead and pushed ahead to 18-12 with seven minutes remaining before withstanding a fierce late comeback from Kenya’s Lavenda Odhiambo, who finished with 16 points. Uganda’s ability to convert all five of their do-or-die raids and inflict an All-Out proved decisive.
Prior to the knockout rounds, Uganda finished second in Group A to secure their semi-final berth.
Meanwhile, Uganda’s men’s team, the Gladiators, endured a tougher campaign in India. They finished third in Group A with four victories and two defeats, missing out on the semi-finals despite accumulating eight points. India went on to sweep the tournament by winning the men’s title as well, with Sri Lanka finishing as runners-up, while Bangladesh and Kenya shared the bronze medal.
The inaugural championship, hosted at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, provided both Ugandan squads with a vital international platform to gauge their development against world-class opposition.
“It was an eye-opening tournament for our players, but showing that we can stand on the podium alongside traditional powerhouses proves we are on the right path,” noted She Gladiators captain Olivia Nalubega after the medal presentation. “We are going back home with our heads held high and a silver medal that belongs to all of Uganda.”
Both the women’s and men’s delegations are expected to touch down at Entebbe International Airport on Monday.