India to Host Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in January
India to Host Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in January
New Delhi: India is gearing up to host the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup from January 13 to 19 at the IGI Stadium in the capital city. The tournament will feature 24 countries competing in both men’s and women’s categories, marking a significant milestone for the indigenous Indian sport.
The Kho Kho World Cup aims to showcase the dynamic and traditional nature of the game to the world. The official logo and tagline, #TheWorldGoesKho, were unveiled on Wednesday, symbolizing the global reach of the event.
Sudhanshu Mittal, president of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), expressed his excitement for the tournament, stating that it will be a pivotal moment for the sport in India. “The excitement will be at its peak,” he said. “It’s a big opportunity for us to host the first Kho Kho World Cup and showcase the game to the world.”
Mittal highlighted the importance of the tournament in promoting kho kho at the international level. “We want to take kho kho to the Asian Games and the Olympics,” he said. “This is just the start.”
To enhance the spectator experience, the tournament will introduce the “wazir” rule, which adds an element of strategy and excitement to the game. “The journey of kho kho from ground to mat has been phenomenal,” Mittal said. “It’s a very fast game, and Indian players are eager to compete for the title of world champion.”
The KKFI is making extensive preparations for the tournament, including outreach programs in schools to introduce the sport to children. “We are making big preparations,” Mittal said. “There will be activities in the schools to make the children acquainted with the sport.”
The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup promises to be a thrilling event that will showcase the skill, agility, and passion of players from around the globe. It is a testament to the growing popularity and recognition of kho kho as a dynamic and exciting sport.