New Delhi:
In a significant milestone for India’s sporting landscape, the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, held in New Delhi from January 2025, has reignited hopes of the ancient tag sport making its way into the Olympics. This international tournament, featuring 23 nations, marked a crucial step in the sport’s global aspirations.
Kho kho, a game that has been a part of southern Asian culture for over 2,000 years, saw its rules formalized in the early 20th century. Although it was showcased as a demonstration sport at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, it failed to gain enough traction to be included in the Summer Games. However, with the recent World Cup, enthusiasts are now more determined than ever to secure kho kho’s place in the Olympic arena.
The tournament’s grand opening ceremony, complete with song, dance, and an Olympic-style team parade, set the tone for the event’s ambition. Indian women’s team player Nasreen Shaikh reflected on the journey, saying, “We have crossed the first barrier of playing in a World Cup. The next big step would be an entry in the Olympics.”
Kho kho is played on a rectangular court divided by a line connecting two poles, with teams alternating between attack and defense. The attacking team must tag defending players while adhering to strict movement rules, making it a game of speed, agility, and strategy. The team with the most points, earned by tagging defenders quickly, wins the match.
The transition of kho kho from outdoor grassy fields to indoor mats, facilitated by the Ultimate Kho Kho League founded in 2022, has been a game-changer. This shift has not only boosted the sport’s television audience but also made it more appealing globally. “The turning point was when it transitioned from mud to mat. It made it into a global game,” noted Sudhanshu Mittal, president of the Kho Kho Federation of India.
Today, kho kho is played in 55 countries, with native players in Germany, Brazil, and Kenya embracing the game due to its minimal equipment requirements and high-energy gameplay. Mittal expects the sport to expand to dozens more countries by the end of the year, strengthening its case for Olympic inclusion, particularly with India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics in Ahmedabad.
The World Cup saw participation from countries like the United States, England, and Australia, with expatriate Indians playing a significant role in promoting the sport abroad. However, the absence of Pakistan, despite the sport’s popularity there, was notable due to the ongoing tensions between the two nations.
Indian men’s team captain Pratik Waikar highlighted the sport’s growth, saying, “There has been a sea change in the sport. Cricket has a rich history and they developed it well by going live on TV, and now our sport has also gone live.” He added, “In the next five years, it will be on another level.”
The success of the inaugural World Cup has piqued the interest of other nations, with many taking initial steps to develop the sport at the grassroots level. The United States Kho Kho Association, formed in 2022, is one such example. Evan Couchot, the US men’s team captain, emphasized the need to spread awareness and get kids interested in the sport.
As kho kho continues its journey towards global recognition, the next significant step will be the second edition of the World Cup in Birmingham in 2027. With its fast-paced nature, minimal equipment needs, and growing international appeal, kho kho is poised to become a major player in the world of sports.
