FROM GRASSROOTS TO INTERNATIONAL STAGE: HOW UPSI KABADDI CLUB IS BUILDING ITS NAME IN UNIVERSITY SPORTS

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By S. Ruvashini & Dr. Ahmad Sauffiyan Bin Abu Hasan

UNIVERSITI PENDIDIKAN SULTAN IDRIS – In 2023, Kabaddi was still relatively unfamiliar to many students on the UPSI campus. The traditional South Asian contact sport which is known for its combination of speed, strength, agility and tactical breath control, had yet to establish a formal presence within the university. Today, the UPSI Kabaddi Club (UKC) has grown into one of the university’s emerging sports clubs, actively competing against established teams at both local and international levels. The club was founded through the initiative of student Rohitt Pannir Selvan, who introduced the sport to UPSI students with the aim of building a competitive university team from the ground up. Within three years, the club has expanded steadily and gained recognition through its performances in inter-university tournaments. Despite being relatively new to the competitive circuit, UKC has managed to compete alongside more experienced teams and secure several notable achievements in university-level competitions.


A Milestone Tournament for UPSI

One of UKC’s most notable achievements came through the organization of the 1st UPSI Inter- University Kabaddi Championship 2026, held in collaboration with the management of Kolej Ungku Omar (KUO). The tournament marked an important milestone for campus sports development and featured participation from several institutions, including Multimedia University (MMU), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), and Politeknik Sultan Azlan Shah (PSAS). The championship also welcomed two teams from Thailand, providing local players with the opportunity to compete against international opponents on home soil. Competing against experienced teams, UKC successfully secured the second runner-up position in the tournament.


Commitment Behind the Club’s Growth

According to UKC President Thevatharshini Poobalan, the club’s development is driven largely by the commitment shown by its players, who consistently balance academic responsibilities with intensive training schedules. “The players are incredibly dedicated to the sport, attending training every single day regardless of their busy schedules and hectic campus life. Most of the time, their dedication fuels my motivation to bring the absolute best for UKC,” she said. Beyond her leadership role in the club, Thevatharshini also contributes her experience as a former Malaysian Kabaddi player at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games level. Her background as a national athlete has helped strengthen the team’s technical preparation and competitive mindset. 

On the pitch, the women’s team is captained by Gourvaanitha Manimaran, a fierce and experienced kabaddi athlete who has led the squad for the past year and a half. Together, the club’s leadership team has played an important role in shaping a competitive culture and encouraging greater student participation in the sport across the campus.

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Ranks

For UKC Secretary Taarani Paramasivam, the club’s recent podium finish represents only the beginning of its long-term development. “UKC has great potential to be recognized at bigger levels if the players and coaches remain consistent and continue inspiring each other,” she said. Following the club’s recent success, UKC has launched a campus recruitment drive to encourage more UPSI students to join the organization. The club is currently seeking both athletes and committee members to support future activities, event management and promotional efforts.


Preparing for the Next Challenge

While many sports teams would take a break after a major tournament achievement, UKC has already shifted its focus to the next competition. Shortly after the conclusion of the UPSI championship, the club officially registered for the upcoming Arima 2.0 Championship, which will be hosted by MMU. From its beginnings as a student-led initiative in 2023 to competing against international squads in 2026, the UPSI Kabaddi Club continues to grow steadily within the university sports scene. Through consistent training, disciplined student leadership and experienced coaching guidance, the club hopes to further establish itself as a competitive force in Malaysian university sports in the years ahead.