The inaugural kho kho World Cup, set to take place from Jan 13 to 19 next year at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Arena, will feature 24 countries across six continents, highlighting the international expansion of this traditionally Indian sport.
The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) on Oct 25 announced the participating nations, making it a landmark tournament that elevates kho kho to a global stage, reported NDTV.
Competitors will vie for the world title in a game known for its speed, agility and strategic gameplay.
The sport has its roots in ancient India and is believed to have been played since at least the fourth century BC. It is the second-most popular traditional tag game in the Indian subcontinent after kabaddi.
Kho kho is played on a rectangular court with a central lane connecting two poles which are at either end. During the game, nine players from the chasing team are on the field, with eight of them sitting (crouched) in the central lane, while three runners from the defending team run around the court and try to avoid being touched.
Each team has two turns to score and two turns to defend, with each turn lasting nine minutes. The team that scores the most points by the end of the game wins.
The sport is widely played across South Asia, and also has a presence in other regions with a significant South Asian diaspora, such as South Africa and England.
It is played primarily by school children, but is also a competitive sport. The first franchise league for the sport, Ultimate Kho Kho, was unveiled in India in August 2022.
Teams from around the world will bring diverse talents to the World Cup. The African continent will be represented by Ghana, Kenya, South Africa and Uganda, while Asia boasts a strong line-up including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea and Sri Lanka.
European teams from England, Germany, Netherlands and Poland will participate, along with North America’s Canada and the United States, South America’s Brazil and Peru, and Oceania’s Australia and New Zealand.
This wide array of participating countries underscores the growing appeal of kho kho at international level. The championship’s format includes separate divisions for men and women, with 16 teams in each.
“This historic championship represents a massive leap for kho kho, transforming it from a beloved local sport to a global phenomenon,” said KKFI president Sudhanshu Mittal. “With India leading this sporting revolution, the 2025 World Cup promises to be the big step that will take kho kho to the next stage in the global sports ecosystem.”
