Dubai Kabaddi Masters

{{short description|6 nation Kabaddi Masters series}}

{{Infobox sport tournament

|name=Dubai Kabaddi Masters

|image=

|caption=

|start_date=22 June

|end_date=30 June

|administrator=International Kabaddi Federation

|format=Standard style

|tournament_format=Double Round-robin and Knockout

|host={{flagicon|UAE}} United Arab Emirates

|venues=1

|participants=6

|champions= {{kabaddi |IND}}

|runners-up1={{kabaddi|IRN}}

|runners-up2={{kabaddi|PAK}}
{{kabaddi|KOR}}

|matches=15

|stat1_label=

|stat1=

|stat2_label=

|stat2=

|website=

|previous=

|next=TBD

}}

The Dubai Kabaddi Masters was a 6 nation Kabaddi Masters series which was held in the United Arab Emirates for 9 days from 22 June 2018 – 30 June 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/xpress/sport/six-nation-kabaddi-tournament-in-dubai-from-friday-1.2239614|title=Six-nation kabaddi tournament in Dubai from Friday|author=Staff Report|date=2018-06-20|work=GulfNews|access-date=2018-06-21}} This was also the inaugural edition of the tournament.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/kabaddi-masters-dubai-from-june-22/article24156723.ece|title=Kabaddi Masters Dubai from June 22|last=Reporter|first=Sports|date=2018-06-13|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-06-21|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}} This was the first international kabaddi sport event to be witnessed in the UAE.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prokabaddi.com/kabaddimasters|title=First international kabaddi sporting debacle to be witnessed in Dubai|website=www.prokabaddi.com|access-date=2018-06-21}} The tournament featured defending world champions India, Pakistan, Iran, Republic of Korea, Argentina and Kenya. India was regarded as the firm favourites to lift the inaugural Dubai Kabaddi Masters title.{{Cite news|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/kabaddi/india-firm-favourites-in-inaugural-kabaddi-masters-dubai|title=Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018: India firm favourites in inaugural edition|date=2018-06-21|access-date=2018-06-21}} The tournament was hosted at the Al Wasl Sports Club in Dubai.

The opening encounter of the tournament was held between arch rivals India and Pakistan, the first rivalry match between these two teams since the 2016 Kabaddi World cup.{{Cite news|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/kabaddi/kabaddi-masters-dubai-2018-india-face-pakistan-in-tournament-opener|title=Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018: India face Pakistan in tournament opener|date=2018-06-11|access-date=2018-06-21}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/kabaddi-masters-dubai-india-to-open-campaign-against-arch-rivals-pakistan-on-22-june-4506169.html|title=Kabaddi Masters Dubai: India to open campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan on 22 June - Firstpost|website=www.firstpost.com|access-date=2018-06-21}} India scored against Pakistan 36–20 in the opening match.{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/kabaddi-masters-dubai-2018-live-india-vs-pakistan-match-1-at-dubai-ajay-thakur-and-co-win-by-16-point-margin-4573191.html|title=Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018, LIVE India vs Pakistan, Match 1 at Dubai: Ajay Thakur and Co win by 16-point margin LIVE News, Latest Updates, Live blog, Highlights and Live coverage - Firstpost|website=www.firstpost.com|access-date=2018-06-22}}

Before the commencement of the opening match of the tournament on 22 June Friday, the Pakistan team was scheduled to be arrived on 21 June, Thursday but their arrival to Dubai was delayed due to visa issues.{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/kabaddi-masters-dubai-2018-ahead-of-tournament-opener-against-india-visa-issues-delay-pakistans-arrival-5227618/|title=Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018: Ahead of tournament opener against India, visa issues delay Pakistan's arrival|date=2018-06-21|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-06-22|language=en-US}} The Indian Kabaddi team also played a warm-up match against their Asian rivals South Korea as a preparation to the tournament.{{Cite news|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/sports/kabaddi-masters-dubai-2018-well-prepared-but-cant-afford-to-be-over-confident-ajay-thakur-captain-indian-kabaddi-team/1214909/|title=Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018: Well prepared but can't afford to be over-confident: Ajay Thakur, captain, Indian Kabaddi Team|date=2018-06-21|work=The Financial Express|access-date=2018-06-22|language=en-US}}

The current Indian Union sports minister and former professional shooter, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore invited as the chief guest on the eve of the opening clash between India and Pakistan.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ddinews.gov.in/sports/kabaddi-masters-dubai-2018|title=Rajyavardhan Rathore to be the chief guest at inaugural Kabaddi Masters Dubai {{!}} DD News|website=www.ddinews.gov.in|language=en|access-date=2018-06-22}}

The inaugural edition of the Dubai Kabaddi Masters was organised by the International Kabaddi Federation affiliating along with the Dubai Sports Council and with Star India network.{{Cite web|url=http://www.televisionpost.com/ikf-star-india-to-organise-kabaddi-masters-dubai-2018-from-22-june/|title=IKF, Star India to organise Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018 from 22 June|website=www.televisionpost.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-06-22}} The broadcast rights were offered to Star India and the series was telecast through the Star Sports Network.{{Cite web|url=http://bestmediainfo.com/2018/06/star-india-to-telecast-six-nation-kabaddi-masters-dubai-2018/|title=Star India to telecast six-nation Kabaddi Masters Dubai 2018|website=www.bestmediaifo.com|access-date=2018-06-22}}

India defeated Iran 44–26 in the final to clinch the inaugural edition of the Dubai Kabaddi Masters tournament.{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/sport-others/india-vs-iran-live-score-kabaddi-masters-dubai-final-live-streaming-5240058/|title=India vs Iran Kabaddi, Kabaddi Masters Dubai Final: India beat Iran 44-26 to win title|date=2018-06-30|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-07-01|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/other-sports/story/kabaddi-masters-dubai-india-thrash-iran-by-18-points-to-win-title-1274237-2018-06-30|title=Kabaddi Masters Dubai: India thrash Iran by 18 points to win title|website=India Today|language=en|access-date=2018-07-01}}

== Format ==

The six teams are divided into 2 groups of 3 teams. The teams in a group plays each other twice with the top two teams from each group qualifying for the knockout stages (semi-finals).{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/kabaddi-masters-dubai-from-full-schedule-to-complete-squads-all-you-need-to-know-about-six-nation-tournament-4547181.html|title=Kabaddi Masters Dubai: From full schedule to complete squads, all you need to know about six-nation tournament - Firstpost|website=www.firstpost.com|access-date=2018-06-21}}