The Mayor of Walsall, Cllr Anthony Harris welcomed the Kabaddi World Cup 2025 to the borough, with the fifth day of the competition being held at Wolverhampton University’s Walsall campus.

The 2025 World Cup marked the first time that this prestigious sporting event has been held outside of Asia, and Walsall was proud to host the quarter and semi-finals on day five.

Mayor of Walsall, Councillor Anthony Harris, said: “It was fantastic to welcome the prestigious Kabaddi World Cup to Walsall, and to see so many people from all around the world getting involved. 

“It’s great that along with our Partner Authorities of Wolverhampton, Coventry & Birmingham to be invited to be one of the hosts the Kabaddi World Cup 2025.

“It is a great honour to see Walsall being put on the International World Map as a place where sporting activities can take place & communities can come together to celebrate the sport.”

Day five of the competition would determine which four men’s teams would make it through to the semi-finals, as well as deciding the nations lining up for the face off at the women’s finals over the weekend.

Two women’s semi-final games took place in the morning, seeing victories for India and England. In the men’s quarter finals, England, Scotland, Wales and India came out victorious, beating Hong Kong, the USA, Poland and Hungary.

The Kabaddi World Cup came to a close across the weekend with India coming out on top overall. The final match between India and England’s men’s teams served as a fitting finale to a tournament that has seen Kabaddi’s global appeal grow, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next Kabaddi World Cup.