19 October 2026 (Navroze Bureau) Simran Kamboj, a 25-year-old kabaddi player from Panjawa village in Punjab’s Sri Muktsar Sahib district, has been selected for the Indian senior women’s team for the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026. Her selection marks another important milestone in her sporting career, as she prepares to represent India at an international tournament in Ahmedabad.
Simran is a right raider and the only player from Punjab included in the 14-member Indian women’s squad, according to a report published by The Tribune. Her achievement has brought happiness to her family and village, where residents have followed her progress in kabaddi.
The Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship is scheduled to take place at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad. The tournament’s official website lists the championship dates as October 21 to 27, 2026. It will bring together men’s and women’s national teams from Commonwealth countries, giving players an opportunity to compete for the title in the inaugural edition of the event.
Simran Kamboj Is the Only Player From Punjab in the Squad
Simran’s inclusion in the Indian team is particularly significant for Punjab, as she is the state’s sole representative in the women’s squad. Her selection reflects the progress she has made through competitive kabaddi and her continued participation in national-level and international sporting events.
Her younger brother, Harman Singh, expressed happiness over her selection, according to The Tribune. The family does not have a sporting background, making Simran’s journey an example of an athlete developing her career through training and dedication.
Her father works as a farmer, while her mother is a homemaker. Her grandfather, Nand Lal, retired from the Indian Army as a Subedar. Despite not coming from a family traditionally associated with sports, Simran has established herself as a kabaddi player and earned a place in the national team.
Her achievement has also drawn attention to the sporting talent emerging from rural Punjab, where kabaddi has a strong following and is played in villages, schools and sports competitions.
From Muktsar to the National Team
Simran completed her schooling at Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Warring Khera village in Muktsar district. She subsequently graduated from Dev Samaj College for Women in Ferozepur.
Alongside her sporting career, she is pursuing a Master of Physical Education (MPEd) at Guru Kashi University in Talwandi Sabo, Bathinda. She trains at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) centre in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, where she continues to work on her game.
Her combination of academic studies and competitive sport highlights the effort required to maintain progress in both fields. Representing India at the Commonwealth championship will provide another opportunity to compete at the international level.
Asian Beach Games Gold Medal Added to Her Achievements
Simran’s selection for the Commonwealth championship follows her participation in the Indian women’s kabaddi team at the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, in April 2026.
India won the gold medal in women’s kabaddi at the event, extending the country’s run of consecutive gold medals in the discipline to six. Simran was the only player from Punjab in that Indian squad as well.
The achievement strengthened her international experience before the Commonwealth tournament. Playing against teams from different countries can expose athletes to different approaches and styles of competition, while also helping them prepare for future international assignments.
For Simran, the upcoming championship offers another chance to contribute to the Indian team. As a raider, her role will involve attempting to score points against opposing defenders while helping her side maintain its position during matches.
Ahmedabad to Host the Inaugural Championship
The 2026 Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship is the first edition of the tournament. Ahmedabad will host the competition at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, with both men’s and women’s events scheduled.
According to the championship’s official website, the tournament will feature seven days of competition, with matches played across two courts. The event is intended to bring national teams from Commonwealth countries together and provide a wider international platform for kabaddi.
The competition will be an important test for the Indian players as they aim to perform against international opposition. For Simran, it is also an opportunity to build on the experience gained at the Asian Beach Games and continue representing Punjab on the national stage.
Her selection has given her family and village another reason to celebrate. From her education in Muktsar and Ferozepur to training at the SAI centre in Dharamshala, Simran has progressed to the senior Indian team through her sporting journey.
With the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship approaching, attention will now turn to the Indian squad’s preparations and performances. Simran will look to make the most of the opportunity as she represents India and becomes part of Punjab’s contribution to the national kabaddi team.