Kho kho World Cup fuels Olympic dreams for ancient sport

The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi aims to elevate the 2,000-year-old Indian sport to global recognition and Olympic inclusion.

A member of India’s men’s kho kho team participates in selection trials for the upcoming Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi on January 8, 2025. Photo by Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images

By Armandio Alif and Amanda Zahra

Kho kho, a traditional tag sport with a history spanning over 2,000 years, is witnessing a resurgence in India. With the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup underway in New Delhi, organisers and athletes are working to elevate the sport to international prominence, with dreams of one day seeing it included in the Olympic Games.

Played across southern Asia for millennia, kho kho is a game of agility and strategy. Despite its deep cultural roots, the sport has often been overshadowed by India’s cricket obsession. However, the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup, featuring teams from 23 nations, is a significant step toward putting the game on the global map.

The Kho Kho World Cup opened with a vibrant ceremony in India’s capital, New Delhi. The event featured a gala of song, dance, and an Olympic-style team parade, reflecting the aspirations of organisers to globalise the sport.

Indian women’s team player Nasreen Shaikh, 26, expressed her excitement for the future of kho kho. "My elder sister played the sport but could not pursue her dreams," Shaikh shared. "We have crossed the first barrier of playing in a World Cup. The next big step would be an entry in the Olympics."

Nasreen Shaikh, a member of India’s women’s kho kho team, participates in selection trials for the upcoming Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi on January 8, 2025. Photo by Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images

Kho kho is traditionally played on a rectangular court divided by a central line connecting two poles at either end. Teams alternate between attacking and defending, with attackers aiming to tag defending players as quickly as possible.

The attacking team operates under strict movement rules, with only one player chasing at a time. To change chasers, attackers must tag their crouching teammates on the center line, adding layers of strategy and coordination.

Victory is determined by the number of points scored, primarily through successful tags, with the faster team emerging as the winner.

From mud to mat: Modernising kho kho

The sport has undergone a transformation in recent years, largely due to the launch of the franchise-based Ultimate Kho Kho League in 2022. This initiative brought the game from outdoor grassy fields to indoor mats, making it more appealing to global audiences and television viewers.

Members of India’s women’s kho kho team participate in selection trials for the upcoming Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi on January 8, 2025. Photo by Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images

Since its debut, the Ultimate Kho Kho League has become the third most-watched non-cricket sports tournament in India, following the Pro Kabaddi League and the Indian Super League (football).

“The turning point was when it transitioned from mud to mat. It made it into a global game,” said Sudhanshu Mittal, president of the Kho Kho Federation of India.

Mittal noted that the sport is now played in 55 countries, with nations like Germany, Brazil, and Kenya embracing kho kho for its speed, agility, and minimal equipment requirements. By the end of the year, Mittal expects the sport to expand to even more countries, bolstering its case for Olympic inclusion.

Kho kho’s growing international presence coincides with India’s bid to host the 2036 Olympic Games in Ahmedabad. Organisers hope the sport’s inclusion in the Olympics will mark 100 years since it was last showcased as a demonstration sport at the 1936 Berlin Games.

Teams from countries like the United States, England, and Australia are competing in this week’s World Cup, driven in part by expatriate Indian communities introducing the game to their new homes.

However, the absence of Pakistan from the tournament highlights lingering geopolitical tensions. Despite kho kho’s popularity in Pakistan, the nuclear-armed rivals’ animosity has overshadowed sporting diplomacy. World Cup organisers declined to comment on Pakistan’s absence.

Players and organisers envision a bright future

Pratik Waikar (center), captain of India’s men’s kho kho team, participates in selection trials for the upcoming Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi on January 8, 2025. Photo by Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images

Indian men’s team captain Pratik Waikar, 32, is optimistic about kho kho’s trajectory. “There has been a sea change in the sport,” Waikar said. “Cricket has a rich history and developed well by going live on TV. Now our sport has also gone live. In the next five years, it will be on another level.”

Kho kho’s journey from ancient fields to modern arenas is a testament to the sport’s enduring appeal and adaptability. With its rich history, evolving gameplay, and growing international recognition, the game is poised to become a global phenomenon.

The Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi is more than just a competition—it is a bold step toward reviving an ancient sport and securing its place in the pantheon of global athletics. As players chase their Olympic dreams, kho kho is set to captivate audiences around the world.