The International Kabaddi Federation is poised to almost double its membership to roughly 80 nations, as delegates from 35 to 40 aspiring kabaddi countries convene here for a landmark two-day conclave that organizers say could reshape the sport's global map.

National federations from Africa, Europe and other regions will be formally admitted to the IKF at a Special Annual General Meeting on Friday. The African bloc numbers 20 countries and is led by African Kabaddi Federation President Dr. Osama Said, while 16 European nations are taking part under European Kabaddi chief Dalbir Sandhu.

For a discipline rooted in the Indian subcontinent, the scale of the intake marks a decisive step toward genuine international reach. IKF Executive Director Kasani Gyaneshwar said the drive was about far more than swelling the membership rolls. The goal, he said, is to build a well-governed pathway for the game's growth through technical assistance, capacity building and stronger continental programs.

"In one shot, this will double the IKF membership to about 80 members," Kasani said.

The gathering brings administrators from three continents into the same room, giving newer federations a direct line to the sport's leadership and a framework for developing coaches, officials and grassroots competition at home. Backers of the expansion say a broader, better-supported base is the surest route to lifting standards and raising kabaddi's profile on the world stage.