Pinki Roy, also written as Pinky Roy in some reports, is an Indian women's kabaddi player who plays for Indian Railways. In September 2026 she won the Asian Games gold medal with India at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, in her first tour with the national team. India beat Iran 37-34 in the final.
She built her career through domestic competitions, senior national championships and the Indian Railways system. She works as a senior technician with South Central Railway.
Early life:
Pinki Roy is associated with Ranaghat in West Bengal. She began playing kabaddi during her school years after a sports teacher saw her potential and encouraged her to take the game seriously.
Some accounts state that she lost her father when she was very young. Her family circumstances created extra challenges, but she kept playing kabaddi with the support of her family and coaches.
Roy started playing competitive kabaddi around 2008-09. After the 2026 Asian Games she said she was in her 18th year in the sport. Like many Indian athletes, she moved up through school-level and state-level competitions before entering the organised domestic system.
She joined Indian Railways in 2016. Indian Railways gives players a job, training support and the chance to compete in national-level tournaments.
Domestic career:
Pinki Roy has represented Indian Railways in senior women's kabaddi competitions, playing against some of the best players in India.
One of the main achievements of her domestic career came at the 64th Senior National Kabaddi Championship in 2016. She represented Indian Railways in the tournament, and the Railways team finished first.
She was also included in the Indian Railways squad for the 69th Women's Senior National Kabaddi Championship in 2023.
Domestic career highlights
- Started playing kabaddi during her school years.
- Moved up through the domestic kabaddi system.
- Joined Indian Railways in 2016.
- Represented Indian Railways in senior national championships.
- Was part of the Railways team that won the 2016 Senior National Championship.
- Continued playing at the highest domestic level while working as a railway employee.
National Games and senior competitions:
Detailed match-by-match records of Pinki Roy's National Games performances are not available in the public domain.
Her part in the Senior National Kabaddi Championship is better documented. The 2016 championship was an important milestone, as Indian Railways won the title.
Injury and career setbacks
Pinki Roy's career has included injuries and setbacks.
She had knee surgery in 2013, early in her career.
In 2019, she was called up to an India camp ahead of the South Asian Games, but she had to withdraw after another knee operation. The injury stopped her progress at a time when she was close to international selection.
She later returned to the national selection pathway. In 2024, she was reportedly called to a World Cup camp but did not make the final Indian squad.
She kept training and competing, and in 2026 she finally earned a place in the Indian team.
Asian Games gold in 2026
In 2026, Pinki Roy was selected in India's 12-member women's kabaddi squad for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. The squad included Pushpa Rana, Ritu Negi, Sonali Shingate, Sanju Devi, Pooja Kajla, Ritu Sheoran, Jyoti Thakur and Bhavna Thakur.
The kabaddi events were held at the Tokai Citizen Gymnasium. India won every match:
- Group match: India 42-21 Bangladesh (21 September 2026)
- Group match: India 37-23 Iran (23 September 2026)
- Group match: India 50-25 Japan (24 September 2026)
- Semi-final: India 48-24 Nepal
- Final: India 37-34 Iran (26 September 2026)
India, captained by Pushpa Rana, beat Iran 37-34 in the final to retain the title. It was India's fourth Asian Games gold in women's kabaddi.
The Asian Games were her first tour with the Indian team. After the final she said, "My journey has been very tough." She added that she enjoyed every match.
At the time of the Games, she was working as a senior technician at South Central Railway's Signal and Telecommunication Workshop in Mettuguda. She was one of two South Central Railway players in the women's squad, along with Ritu Negi.
A verified official profile giving Pinki Roy's exact playing position is not available. Some kabaddi content describes her as an all-rounder, and several clips show her raiding.
Social media
Pinki Roy uses social media to share parts of her sporting journey, training and personal life.
Pinki Roy Instagram Profile: @pinkeroyy
Her social media posts include:
- Kabaddi training videos.
- Match clips and action reels.
- Fitness and practice updates.
- Personal photographs.
- Posts about her journey with Indian Railways and Team India.
Her journey
Pinki Roy has described representing India as a dream shared by her family and her late parents.
She kept working towards that goal despite two knee operations, selection disappointment and a long wait for an international chance.
Her story shows that athletes can reach the national team at different stages of their careers. Steady performances at domestic level eventually brought her an Asian Games gold medal.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Pinki Roy?
Pinki Roy, also written as Pinky Roy, is an Indian women's kabaddi player who plays for Indian Railways. She won the Asian Games gold medal with India in 2026.
Did Pinki Roy win a medal at the 2026 Asian Games?
Yes. She was part of the Indian women's team that won gold at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, beating Iran 37-34 in the final on 26 September 2026.
Was the 2026 Asian Games Pinki Roy's first tournament for India?
Yes. The Asian Games were her first tour with the Indian team, after many years in domestic kabaddi.
Who are the players in India's 2026 Asian Games women's kabaddi team?
The 12-member squad included Pinki Roy, Pushpa Rana, Ritu Negi, Sonali Shingate, Sanju Devi, Pooja Kajla, Ritu Sheoran, Jyoti Thakur and Bhavna Thakur. Pushpa Rana was the captain.
Where is Pinki Roy from?
Pinki Roy is associated with Ranaghat in West Bengal. She began playing kabaddi during her school years.
What job does Pinki Roy do?
She works as a senior technician at South Central Railway's Signal and Telecommunication Workshop in Mettuguda. She joined Indian Railways in 2016.
When did Pinki Roy start playing kabaddi?
She started playing competitive kabaddi around 2008-09. After the 2026 Asian Games she said she was in her 18th year in the sport.
What is Pinki Roy's biggest domestic achievement?
She was part of the Indian Railways team that won the 64th Senior National Kabaddi Championship in 2016.
Did Pinki Roy face injuries in her career?
Yes. She had knee surgery in 2013, and in 2019 she had to leave an India camp after another knee operation.
What is Pinki Roy's Instagram account?
An Instagram account associated with her name is @pinkeroyy, where she posts training videos and match clips.
