"I’m flying to India to lead an incredible group of women"
The Apprentice 2025 contestant Anisa Khan has been named captain of the England women’s kabaddi team and will lead the side at the upcoming Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship.
The entrepreneur, who was the runner-up in the business competition, will head to India for the competition, which gets underway on October 23, 2026.
The competition will feature 14 countries, including India and Bangladesh.
Anisa announced the news on social media, expressing her pride at becoming kabaddi captain after first taking up the sport at university in 2017.
She wrote: “I’m officially Captain of the England Women’s Kabaddi Team.
“I joined my university kabaddi society in 2017 as a complete beginner. I never imagined trying a new sport would lead me here.
“Since then, I’ve graduated from LSE, worked at Accenture, built Bombay Pizza and competed on The Apprentice. Life has taken me in so many directions, but kabaddi has been there through all of it.
“Next week, I’m flying to India to lead an incredible group of women at the Commonwealth Championships, and I couldn’t be prouder.
“INDIA, HERE WE COME!”
Congratulatory messages were posted, including from The Apprentice 2026 contestant Rothna Akhtar, who wrote:
“AHHHHH SMASH IT BEAUTIFUL! So proud.”
Lord Sugar’s aide Mike Soutar commented:
“That’s brilliant! Congratulations Anisa!”
The Apprentice 2026 winner Karishma Vijay said: “You’re gonna smash it.”
After joining her university’s kabaddi society, Anisa became captain in her second year.
In her third year, she became president of the society and was selected for the national team.
Anisa balanced her sporting passion with her studies in economic development.
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During the Covid-19 pandemic, she launched Bombay Pizza, which specialises in pizza with Indian-inspired flavours and toppings.
She gained wider recognition in 2025 on The Apprentice, competing for a £250,000 investment.
Anisa Khan was a standout candidate throughout the process but narrowly lost to Dean Franklin, who launched an air conditioning business.
Despite not getting the investment, Anisa has remained in touch with Lord Sugar and her business has experienced a surge in demand.
Now, as captain of the England women’s kabaddi team, Anisa will lead the side at the Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad.
