24 Nations to Compete in Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup
The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, scheduled from January 13-19 at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Stadium, will witness a global spectacle of the traditional Indian sport. With 24 nations participating, the tournament promises to showcase the speed, strategy, and sporting excellence of Kho Kho.
From the African continent, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda will showcase their talent. Asia will be represented by hosts India alongside Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea, and Sri Lanka. Europe will have participants like England, Germany, the Netherlands, and Poland. North America will be represented by Canada and the United States of America. South America will feature Brazil and Peru, while Australia and New Zealand will carry the banner for Oceania.
The tournament structure will feature both men’s and women’s divisions, with 16 teams competing in each category. The men’s category will feature a strong African presence with Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.
The Kho Kho World Cup represents a significant milestone in the sport’s history, transforming it from a beloved local sport to a global phenomenon. 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.
KKFI president Sudhanshu Mittal expressed his excitement, saying, “This historic championship represents a massive leap for Kho Kho, transforming it from a beloved local sport to a global phenomenon. 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.”
KKFI General Secretary MS Tyagi added, “The participation of 24 nations is a testament to Kho Kho’s growing international appeal. Our vision is to make this traditional Indian sport a truly global game, and this World Cup will serve as a milestone in achieving that goal.”