The Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India on Tuesday announced a 12 member men's kabaddi team for the 13th South Asian Games. The team was announced after a 20-day coaching camp that was held at the SAI NBA, Rohtak.
Men's team will be led by the Jaipur Pink Panthers skipper Deepak Hooda while raiding sensation Pawan Sehrawat has been named the vice-captain. Here is the full list of the players.
- Deepak Niwas Hooda (Captain)
- Pawan Kumar Sehrawat (Vice-captain)
- Nitesh Kumar
- Vishal Bhardwaj
- Sunil Kumar
- Parvesh Bhainswal
- Naveen Kumar Goyat
- Pardeep Narwal
- Amit Hooda
- Surender Nada
- Vikash Khandola
- Darshan Kadian
Deepak Hooda and Surender Nada are the only two players who were a part of the gold medal-winning Indian men's Kabaddi team at the 2016 South Asian Games in Guwahati.
Balwan Singh was brought back as the Indian team coach by the AKFI along with former Puneri Paltan coach Ashan Kumar. The 2019 SAG will be their first assignment as the newly appointed coaches. Jaivir Singh will be the manager of the team.
Kabaddi made its debut at the South Asian Games in 1985, with the Indian men's Kabaddi team winning the gold medal in the first edition. With an exception of the year 1993, India has been the most successful team, winning nine gold medals from 10 editions.
With no international tournament held this year, the Indian Kabaddi team would be looking to continue their top form at the tournament and grab yet another gold for their country.
The South Asian Games are scheduled to be held in Nepal from 1st to 10th of December.
