Kabaddi is all set to make its debut at the 33rd South East Asian Games (SEA Games) which is underway in Thailand. The inclusion of kabaddi as a competitive discipline in the Games showcases the growing footprint of the ancient sport in the region.
The SEA Games kabaddi competition will include three distinct formats. The Standard Style Kabaddi event will be contested from December 11 to 14, followed by the Super 5 format on December 15 and 16, while the 3-Star Kabaddi competition will conclude proceedings on December 17 and 18.
Kabaddi is traditionally played between two teams of seven, but in SEA Games 2025, teams of three or five players will also feature.
How Points Are Earned
In each round, a lone player called a “raider” enters the opposing side to touch as many opponents as possible before returning to their own side – all in a single breath, while continuously chanting “kabaddi”.
Points are earned for each successful tag. If the opposing team catches the raider, it earns a point. Points can also be earned if the raider reaches a bonus line deep in their opponent’s half when facing six or seven defenders.
Each side alternates between attacking and defending, and victory goes to the team with the most points.
Kabaddi at SEA Games
While Kabaddi has long been a routine discipline at events such as the Asian Games, where India and Iran have historically been the dominant sides, its inclusion in the SEA Games signals its increasing popularity in the region.
Previous editions of the SEA Games have played a crucial role in nurturing sports like pencak silat, sepak takraw, and vovinam, allowing host nations and emerging teams to establish themselves. Kabaddi is expected to follow a similar path.
Kabaddi at SEA Games 2025: Teams
Men’s Teams
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- Timor-Leste
Women’s Teams
- Thailand
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- Timor-Leste
- Indonesia
Also Read: Where To Watch SEA Games 2025; Full Live Streaming Details
Kabaddi at SEA Games 2025: Schedule
Here is the schedule for Standard Style kabaddi at SEA Games in Thailand:
11th December
| Time (IST) | Match | Teams | Category |
| 7:30 AM | 1 | Thailand vs Myanmar | Men |
| 8:30 AM | 2 | Singapore vs Indonesia | Men |
| 9:30 AM | 3 | Timor-Leste vs Malaysia | Men |
| 2:00 PM | 4 | Thailand vs Indonesia | Men |
| 3:00 PM | 5 | Myanmar vs Malaysia | Men |
| 3:50 PM | 6 | Indonesia vs Singapore | Women |
| 4:40 PM | 7 | Malaysia vs Timor-Leste | Women |
12th December
| Time (IST) | Match | Teams | Category |
| 7:30 AM | 8 | Thailand vs Singapore | Women |
| 8:20 AM | 9 | Malaysia vs Indonesia | Women |
| 9:10 AM | 10 | Thailand vs Timor-Leste | Women |
| 10:00 AM | 11 | Singapore vs Timor-Leste | Men |
| 2:00 PM | 12 | Thailand vs Malaysia | Men |
| 3:00 PM | 13 | Indonesia vs Timor-Leste | Men |
| 4:00 PM | 14 | Myanmar vs Singapore | Men |
13th December
| Time (IST) | Match | Teams | Category |
| 7:30 AM | 15 | Thailand vs Timor-Leste | Men |
| 8:30 AM | 16 | Malaysia vs Singapore | Men |
| 9:30 AM | 17 | Indonesia vs Myanmar | Men |
| 10:30 AM | 18 | Thailand vs Singapore | Men |
| 2:00 PM | 19 | Timor-Leste vs Indonesia | Women |
| 2:50 PM | 20 | Singapore vs Malaysia | Women |
| 3:40 PM | 21 | Thailand vs Indonesia | Women |
14th December
| Time (IST) | Match | Teams | Category |
| 7:30 AM | 22 | Thailand vs Malaysia | Women |
| 8:20 AM | 23 | Singapore vs Timor-Leste | Women |
| 9:10 AM | 24 | Timor-Leste vs Myanmar | Men |
| 10:10 AM | 25 | Malaysia vs Indonesia | Men |
| 2:00 PM | — | Men’s Final – Pool Rank 1 vs Pool Rank 2 | Men |
| 3:00 PM | — | Women’s Final – Pool Rank 1 vs Pool Rank 2 | Women |
