IKF Conducts Elections in Nagoya, Vinod Kumar Tiwari Elected President and Tejasvi Gehlot Secretary General

Nagoya, Japan | September 22, 2026: The International Kabaddi Federation has conducted its elections in Nagoya, Japan, during the ongoing Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, marking a new administrative chapter for the international governing body of Kabaddi. According to the election statement provided by the IKF, the process was conducted in a transparent and orderly manner under the observation of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Asian Kabaddi Federation. Following the election, an 18-member Executive Board Committee has been constituted to guide the federation during the forthcoming term.

New IKF Leadership Announced

The newly elected leadership announced following the election is:

The election statement said the new Executive Board will work with IKF member federations across different continents to strengthen the international structure of Kabaddi and support the sport's continued development. Vinod Kumar Tiwari had previously been elected IKF President for the 2022-2026 term at the federation's elective General Assembly in Dubai in March 2022, according to the Olympic Council of Asia.

Tejasvi Gehlot Takes Key Role in International Kabaddi

The appointment of Tejasvi Gehlot as Secretary General places him in a key administrative position within the IKF's new leadership structure. Gehlot is also associated with sports administration in Rajasthan, where he serves as President of the Rajasthan State Olympic Association. His new role at the IKF comes as the federation continues to outline a broader international development agenda for Kabaddi. The IKF's stated objectives include promoting and developing Kabaddi worldwide, establishing international rules, strengthening administration, supporting athletes and officials, and supporting the ideals of the Olympic movement.

18-Member Executive Board to Guide the Next Term

The newly constituted 18-member Executive Board Committee will be responsible for guiding the federation during the forthcoming term.

According to the election statement, the board will work collectively with national and continental federations with a focus on:

• Strengthening international Kabaddi administration
• Expanding participation across countries and continents
• Developing athletes and officials
• Improving cooperation between member federations
• Expanding Kabaddi's global reach
• Building a stronger international structure for the sport

The IKF has recently highlighted similar priorities, including grassroots development, international competition, officials' education and stronger national and continental structures.

Elections Held During Asian Games in Nagoya

The timing of the election is notable, with Kabaddi currently being played at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. The Kabaddi competition is taking place from September 21 to 26, 2026, at the Tokai Citizens Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture. The group stage runs from September 21 to 24, followed by the semi-finals on September 25 and the finals on September 26. Holding the IKF election in Nagoya places the federation's administrative proceedings alongside one of the sport's major continental competitions.

A New Chapter for International Kabaddi

The election marks the beginning of a new term for the IKF Executive Board at a time when the federation is emphasizing the international growth of Kabaddi. The federation's official website says its broader mission is to “Unite the World Through Kabaddi”, with its work centred on development, governance, international competition, athlete support and fair play. With Vinod Kumar Tiwari continuing as President and Tejasvi Gehlot taking charge as Secretary General, the new leadership will now work with member federations on the federation's stated objectives for the coming term. The IKF's election statement also thanked member federations, delegates and stakeholders who participated in the electoral process and acknowledged the role of the OCA's observation and support.

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