England Kabaddi World Cup 2025 squad features four Keralites, including Captain Athira Sunil

By A Staff Reporter

LONDON March 11: England’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025 squad boasts a strong representation of Malayalee talent, with four players selected for the prestigious tournament. Set to take place from March 17th to 23rd, the competition will span seven days with over 60 matches, taking place in Birmingham, Coventry, Walsall, and Wolverhampton.

Leading the women’s team is captain Athira Sunil, a native of Nayarambalam in Vypin, Ernakulam. Joining her are three fellow Malayalee women: Presimol K. Preni from Kottayam Ettumanoor, Neelima Unni, and Neerja Unni, both hailing from Nedumangad in Thiruvananthapuram. Neelima, who at present works in healthcare in UK previously worked as Physical Education Teacher at MGM Model School, Varkala. Pressymol K Preni from Kottayam, lives in Manchester. She went to St Annes Girls Higher Secondary School Kottayam.

The selected players have showcased exceptional skill and teamwork, with all four women contributing to the success of the Nottingham Queens, who claimed the women’s title in the British Kabaddi League.

Women’s Competition Groups:
Group A: England, Hong Kong, Poland, Tanzania
Group B: India, Egypt, Scotland, Kenya

Athira Sunil’s remarkable journey from India to England showcases her unwavering dedication and commitment to the sport.

In pursuit of academic and professional growth, Athira, a native of Nayarambalam in Vypin, Ernakulam, moved to the UK to complete her MSc in International Business Management at Northumbria University, graduating with a 2:1. She quickly climbed the ranks at Care UK, starting as a care assistant and soon promoted to a line manager due to her exemplary leadership skills.

Despite her demanding career, Athira’s passion for Kabaddi remained strong. With over 17 years of experience in the sport, she has led several teams to victory in national and international tournaments.

Her impressive performance as captain of the Nottingham Queens in the British Kabaddi League 2024 International Competition earned her widespread recognition.

Athira’s love for adventure and sports extends beyond Kabaddi. Her accomplishments range from completing the Great North Run 2024, the world’s biggest half marathon, to conquering challenging terrain on her Royal Enfield.

Her dedication to sports is matched by her commitment to academic excellence, as she holds multiple degrees, including an MBA in Human Resources.

Now, as the captain of the England Kabaddi Association Women’s Team, Athira Sunil is set to lead the team in the highly anticipated World Cup Kabaddi Championship 2025.

Her story serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and Kabaddi enthusiasts around the world, demonstrating that determination, perseverance, and a deep-rooted passion for the sport can lead to extraordinary achievements.

Follow Athira’s journey as she takes England Kabaddi to new heights and continues to inspire the next generation of athletes!

The men’s team also features two Malayalee players, K Mashood from Malappuram Ponnani and Abhijith Krishnan from Kasargod Cheruvathur. Both Mashood and Abhijit are members of the Nottingham Royals, the runners-up in the men’s category of the British Kabaddi League.

The England Kabaddi World Cup 2025 squad is led by head coach Mathew Saju, a former England player. As the tournament approaches, the team’s dedication and commitment will undoubtedly be on full display, as they strive to bring home the coveted World Cup title.