Continental governing body
AKU sanctions Africa’s continental championships, affiliates 12 national federations and decides which nations carry the continent into the Kabaddi World Cups.
Zanzibar 2026 · Photo: Africa Kabaddi Union
Latest continental championship
Zanzibar, Tanzania · August 2026 · 6 nations
Champions
Kenya
Beat Uganda in the final · title retained
Match day at the Africa Kabaddi Championship 2026: the anthems, the teams, the officials and the crowd in the stands.
The Union
The Africa Kabaddi Union is the continental governing body for kabaddi in Africa. It sanctions the African championships, affiliates national federations, sets the competition calendar and decides which nations represent the continent internationally.
Kabaddi in Africa is young and moving quickly. The continental championship drew a field of nine nations to Kasarani Indoor Arena in Nairobi in 2024; by 2026 the title was being defended in Zanzibar. African players now appear in the Pro Kabaddi League and at the Bangabandhu Cup in Dhaka.
Member federations
Nations to have competed
Championships in the forward cycle
Competition categories
Counted from AKU’s own member listing and competition reports: 12 federations publishing a crest, 9 nations that have played an AKU championship, 6 championships awarded for 2027–2029, and six competition categories — men, women, junior, beach, club and schools.
Six continental championships went to a hosting vote of the member federations and the IKF in Zanzibar in August 2026. Host nations are published here as AKU confirms them.
Every score AKU has published, from the continental championships and from African teams competing abroad.
12 national federations across East, Southern and West Africa, plus nations that have competed at AKU championships without a published crest.
Kenya Kabaddi Union
Kabaddi Federation of Uganda
Zanzibar Kabaddi Federation
Tanzania Kabaddi Sports Association
Rwanda Kabaddi Federation
Fédération Burundaise de Kabaddi
Kabaddi Union of Zambia
Malawi Kabaddi Federation
South Africa Kabaddi Federation
Botswana Kabaddi
Nigeria Kabaddi Federation
Senegal Kabaddi Federation
Development
The continental women’s championship is a standing fixture of the AKU calendar. Uganda took the 2025 title at JKUAT in Juja, ahead of Kenya and Zanzibar, with Lavender Awuor of Kenya named Best Raider and Eunice Awori of Uganda Best Defender. The next edition is in the 2027 cycle.
AKU has also announced a junior championship for boys’ and girls’ teams, a schools competition in East Africa and a youth development camp. Where an announced event has no published outcome, it is marked as such rather than presented as completed.
Championship reports, results and official notices of the Union.
Member federations, IKF officials and invited government representatives meet at the JAZ Elite Aurora Hotels on 14 August to award hosting rights and conduct the championship draws.
Twelve junior teams are to contest the continent’s first junior championship, with fixtures and schedules to follow.
Uganda’s She Gladiators took the title ahead of Kenya and Zanzibar. Lavender Awuor was named Best Raider and Eunice Awori Best Defender.
Six teams meet at the JKUAT Assembly Hall in Juja on 7 April for the continental women’s title. Entry is free and matches stream live.
Squads of twelve with a 75 kg weight limit, registration closing 15 March, and venue, officials and awards provided by the Union.
Work with AKU
Member federations bid to host continental championships through AKU’s hosting process, with the backing of their national sports ministry or council. Broadcasters, sponsors and development partners can reach the secretariat directly.
Expressions of interest go to the hosting desk, supported by the relevant government sports authority, and must meet the AKU Hosting Requirements and Bid Guidelines.
Hosting requirementsFor sponsorship, broadcast rights, accreditation or an interview with the Union, contact the secretariat.
Contact AKU
