India set to face Uganda in Commonwealth kabaddi final

Hyderabad: India and Uganda set up a title clash in the women’s section of the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Uganda edged past Kenya 23-21 in a last-minute thriller, while India thrashed Sri Lanka 39-14.

The two sides will meet in the women’s final on October 31, a rematch of their group-stage encounter, which India won 41-18.

Uganda defeated Kenya 23-21 to book their place in the final. Nakayongo Shirat and Nalwoga Nahia led Uganda with eight points each, with Nahia scoring all her points in the second half after coming off the bench. Captain Nalubega Olivia added three tackle points.

Uganda scored 17 raid points and four tackle points and inflicted one All-Out. Lavenda Odhiambo top-scored for Kenya with 16 raid points from 25 raids, including six bonus points, while Lizzeanne Owino added two tackle points.

Uganda led 12-9 at half-time and were 18-12 ahead with seven minutes remaining, but Kenya refused to give up. Odhiambo scored 11 of her 16 points after the break as Kenya outscored Uganda 9-5 in the final seven minutes. With the teams level on raid points, Uganda’s first-half All-Out and perfect record in do-or-die raids, winning all five, proved decisive.

In the other semi-final, Sakshi led India with 11 points, including eight raid points and three tackle points, while captain Nidhi Sharma added 10 points from 12 raids, including two bonus points. Ritu anchored the defence with four tackle points, while Suman added three.

India scored 21 raid points and 12 tackle points and inflicted three All-Outs.

Diluxshana top-scored for Sri Lanka with six points, including five bonus points, while Priyavarna produced a Super Tackle. However, Sri Lanka managed just eight successful raids throughout the match.

Speaking after the match, India captain Nidhi Sharma said, “I’m very happy. It feels really good to have reached the final. We have played Uganda before, but they will change their strategy because it’s the second time we’re facing them, so it will be a good match.”