The Men’s Kenya Kabaddi League 2023 flagged off with JKUAT Assassins KC’s dominant 65-36 win over Machakos University KC on the opening day of the tournament, marking the onset of a thrilling Kabaddi season in the African country.

The inaugural campaign of the competition will see 12 teams, namely JKUAT Assassins KC, Tac KC, Kayole Giants KC, Administration Police KC, Kasarani Lions KC, Githurai Cheetas KC, N.Y.S KC, UON Tigers KC, Machakos University KC, Black Falcons KC, KU Hawks KC and Kiambu Pluckers KC, who will take the mat in their quest to bag the first trophy.

JKUAT Assassins KC continued their winning start to the tournament with four more victories in as many matches, to make it five out of five and become early favourites to qualify for the knockouts.

However, they face tough competition from teams like Tac KC, Kasarani Lions KC and Kayole Giants KC, who are also strong contenders to make it to the playoffs as per early trends.

Unfortunately, Kiambu Pluckers KC became the first side to lose all its first five encounters. They will be hoping for a turn in fortune if they are to avert the risk of an early elimination from the tournament.  

Men's Kenya Kabaddi League 2023 points system

The first edition of the Men's Kenya Kabaddi League will see each match played over 40 minutes divided into two halves of 20 minutes each.

A team will receive five points for every win, three points for a tie and zero for a defeat. The teams will clash against each other twice in a double round-robin format before progressing to the playoffs.

Men's Kenya Kabaddi League 2023 points table

Rank TEAM PLAYED WON LOST TIE SCORE DIFFERENCE POINTS
1 JKUAT Assassins KC 22 18 3 1 +366 93
2 Kayole Giants KC 22 17 4 1 +252 88
3 KU Hawks KC 22 16 4 2 +187 86
4 Tac KC 22 16 6 0 +212 80
5 Kasarani Lions KC 22 15 7 0 +319 73
6 Black Falcons KC 22 12 9 1 +44 66
7 Githurai Cheetas KC 22 11 10 1 +102 58
8 Administration Police KC 22 7 15 0 -93 35
9 UON Tigers KC 22 6 16 0 -179 30
10 N.Y.S KC 22 4 16 2 -77 26
11 Machakos University KC 22 2 18 2 -346 16
12 Kiambu Pluckers KC 22 3 19 0 -219 15

Photo credit: Alamy