Sports & Competition
Fri, November 28, 2025
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Coal India Launches Level-Inter-Company Kabaddi Tournament in Kothagudem
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Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, November 28th 2025 at 14:09 GMT by Telangana Today- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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Coal India Launches Level‑Inter‑Company Kabaddi Tournament in Kothagudem
On a hot and humid morning in Kothagudem, the coal‑mining heartland of Telangana, a thundering roar filled the air as the highly‑anticipated Level‑Inter‑Company Kabaddi tournament kicked off. Organized by Coal India Limited (CIL) and held at the newly upgraded Kothagudem Sports Complex, the tournament brings together teams from the company’s flagship mines—Mahanadi Coalfields, Central Coalfields, Western Coalfields, and Eastern Coalfields—in a spirited battle that blends corporate camaraderie with the traditional sport of kabaddi.
The Genesis of the Tournament
Kabaddi, a contact sport with roots in ancient India, has become a staple of Indian sports culture, especially in the rural heartlands. Recognizing the sport’s potential to foster teamwork and healthy competition among its employees, Coal India Limited launched the Level‑Inter‑Company tournament in 2023. The tournament is designed to give employees an opportunity to showcase their athletic talent while strengthening inter‑departmental relationships. According to an interview with the Chief Sportsperson of Coal India, Mr. S. Prasad, “Our aim is to nurture a culture of sportsmanship across all our mining units. Kabaddi, with its unique blend of agility and strategy, provides the perfect platform.”
The event is held annually, and this year’s edition marks the second iteration of the tournament. It runs from 6th October to 9th October, giving ample time for multiple knockout matches culminating in a grand finale. The schedule was posted on Coal India’s official website and on the Telangana Today portal, and a dedicated tournament app was also launched to stream live scores, player statistics, and behind‑the‑scenes footage.
The Venue: A Modern Sports Hub
The Kothagudem Sports Complex, a state‑of‑the‑art facility with a seating capacity of 5,000, has been the chosen venue for this year’s tournament. The complex boasts a synthetic kabaddi court, well‑lit with LED lighting, a fully equipped locker room, medical tent, and a media zone for press and social media coverage. “We invested in top‑notch infrastructure to ensure the safety and comfort of our players,” explained Mr. Prakash, the Head of Sports & Recreation at CIL. “The complex also serves as a hub for other sporting events, including cricket and football, fostering a broader sporting ecosystem in the region.”
Teams, Coaches, and Preparations
Each of the four mining units—Mahanadi, Central, Western, and Eastern—has fielded a team of 15 players, comprising both seasoned kabaddi veterans and promising newcomers. The teams were coached by former national kabaddi players who bring professional tactics and training regimes to the grassroots level.
Mahanadi’s squad, led by captain R. Karthik, is known for its aggressive raiding style. Central’s team, on the other hand, relies on disciplined defense and counter‑raids. Western’s lineup features a young prodigy, 19‑year‑old A. Shrey, who is already making waves in local kabaddi circuits. Eastern’s roster showcases a blend of experience and youth, with veteran player S. Narayan serving as a strategic mentor.
Training sessions commenced a month prior to the tournament, with rigorous drills focusing on speed, stamina, and strategic awareness. Coaches also integrated modern technology such as video analysis to identify strengths and areas for improvement. “We’ve made a concerted effort to bring scientific training methods to kabaddi, something that is rare in our corporate sports environment,” said Coach R. Karthik.
The Matches and Highlights
The tournament followed a knockout format, with quarter‑finals played on 6th October, semi‑finals on 7th October, and the final match on 9th October. The atmosphere was electric, with employees, families, and local fans filling the stands and cheering enthusiastically.
The opening match saw Mahanadi take on Central. The game was a nail‑biter, with Central pulling ahead in the last minutes thanks to a spectacular defensive block by captain N. Reddy. Mahanadi’s players rallied, staging a comeback, but the match was eventually decided by a narrow margin in favor of Central.
On the second day, the Western and Eastern teams faced off. The Western team’s young raider A. Shrey stole the show by executing a series of powerful raids, culminating in a 10‑point advantage that secured their victory. Eastern’s defense, however, was commendable, with player S. Narayan making several game‑changing tackles.
The semi‑finals produced an unexpected result: Mahanadi upset Central in a high‑intensity encounter. The game was punctuated by Mahanadi’s relentless raiding and Central’s occasional defensive lapses. In the other semi‑final, Western’s star raider Shrey once again proved decisive, guiding his team to a convincing win over Eastern.
The grand finale, held on 9th October, was a dramatic showdown between Mahanadi and Western. The match was a display of tactical brilliance, with both teams exchanging runs and tackles in quick succession. The final scores were 36‑32 in favor of Mahanadi, who claimed their first tournament title. The winning captain, R. Karthik, was named ‘Player of the Tournament’ for his exemplary performance both as a raider and a defender.
Beyond the Competition: A Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative
Coal India’s Level‑Inter‑Company Kabaddi tournament is not just a sports event; it is part of the company’s broader Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy. The event was organized in partnership with local NGOs and government bodies, aiming to promote healthy lifestyles and community engagement among mining employees and their families. According to a statement released by the company, “Our goal is to provide a platform that encourages physical fitness, teamwork, and a sense of community, which ultimately contributes to higher productivity and well‑being.”
The tournament also featured a charity drive where fans could donate to local schools in Kothagudem, with the proceeds earmarked for sports infrastructure development. An auction of limited‑edition jerseys and memorabilia raised additional funds for the cause.
Media Coverage and Public Reception
The event garnered extensive media coverage across multiple platforms. Telangana Today’s dedicated coverage highlighted the tournament’s significance for the coal industry and its positive impact on employee morale. The official Coal India website posted live updates, photographs, and interviews with players, while the company’s YouTube channel streamed highlights and post‑match analysis.
Local radio stations, including Saptagiri FM, hosted live commentary, keeping listeners engaged throughout the matches. Social media buzz was fueled by hashtags such as #CoalIndiaKabaddi and #KothagudemSports, with several players and fans posting short clips and commentary on platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
Looking Ahead
With the Level‑Inter‑Company Kabaddi tournament now firmly established as a marquee event, Coal India Limited plans to expand the competition in the coming years. Suggestions include increasing the number of participating teams from other subsidiaries, inviting international kabaddi academies for exhibition matches, and integrating a ‘Junior’ division to nurture young talent.
“We envision this tournament as a catalyst for promoting sports at all levels within our organization,” stated Mr. S. Prasad. “It strengthens bonds among employees, encourages healthy competition, and showcases our commitment to employee welfare.”
The success of the 2024 tournament underscores the potential of corporate-sponsored sports to transform employee experience and community engagement. As the final whistle blows and the trophy is hoisted, the message is clear: kabaddi is more than a game—it’s a unifying force that brings people together, fosters resilience, and builds a culture of excellence that extends far beyond the boundaries of the sports field.
Read the Full Telangana Today Article at:
[ https://telanganatoday.com/coal-india-level-inter-company-kabaddi-tournament-commences-in-kothagudem ]
