Uganda’s She Gladiators have another chance to prove themselves against India after setting up a gold medal showdown with the hosts at the inaugural 2026 Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad.

The Ugandan women booked their place in Saturday’s final after edging regional rivals Kenya 23-21 in a tense semi-final at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex on Friday, October 30.

It was a victory Uganda had to fight for until the very end. The She Gladiators made a strong start, opening up a 12-4 lead with sharp attacking play that appeared to put them in control of the East African derby.

But Kenya refused to go down without a fight. The Kenyans gradually worked their way back into the contest, turning what had looked like a comfortable Ugandan advantage into a nerve-racking battle.

With every point becoming increasingly important, the two sides traded scores in a match that could have gone either way.

In the end, Uganda held their nerve when it mattered most, securing a narrow two-point victory on the final raid to seal their place in the gold medal match.

The result keeps Uganda’s title hopes alive, but standing between the She Gladiators and gold is an Indian side that has looked formidable throughout the competition.

India booked its place in the final with a convincing 39–14 victory over Sri Lanka in the second semi-final on Friday.

Playing in front of their home supporters, the Indian women controlled the contest with a disciplined defensive display and excellent teamwork, preventing Sri Lanka’s raiders from building any momentum.

The victory extended India’s perfect run in the championship. The hosts had won all four of their Group A matches to finish top of the pool before carrying that form into the knockout stage.

For Uganda, however, Saturday’s final offers an opportunity to settle unfinished business. The two sides met earlier in the group stage, when India handed the She Gladiators a heavy 41-18 defeat. That result came during India’s third consecutive victory in the tournament and exposed the challenge Uganda face against the hosts.

Now, with a place in history at stake, the Ugandans will have an opportunity to respond when the two teams meet again for the gold medal.

Their narrow escape against Kenya should give them confidence, particularly after showing the composure needed to survive a late comeback in a high-pressure match.

However, they will need to be sharper and more consistent against India, whose defensive strength and coordinated raiding have made them one of the standout teams in Ahmedabad.

India will be equally determined to protect its unbeaten record and finish the championship with gold in front of its home crowd.

For the She Gladiators, their earlier defeat, rise to the occasion and turn Saturday’s final into a different story. The gold medal match takes place on Saturday, October 31.