January 14, 2025: India's traditional sport Kho Kho is on its way to gaining international recognition, according to Sudhanshu Mittal, president of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI). Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Mittal expressed his excitement about the launch of the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi, calling it a "dream come true."
The Kho Kho World Cup, which kicked off on Monday, is set to run until January 19. The opening match featured India playing against Nepal in the men's category, while the women's competition began on Tuesday with a match between England and Australia. Brazil's men's team is also set to play against India on Tuesday.
Mittal highlighted the efforts that went into promoting Kho Kho to an international audience and expressed his joy over the tournament's successful start. "Dream come true... Everyone has worked so hard to promote India's traditional game to the international level and it was a good start to the dreams," he said. He also thanked Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar for his kind words during the inauguration.
The opening ceremony of the event was grand, held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. A stunning sand art projection paying tribute to Mother Earth marked the beginning of the ceremony, followed by a ceremonial parade. The KKFI also unveiled the World Cup trophy for both the men's and women's tournaments, which was met with loud cheers from the crowd. The event was further celebrated with a performance that showcased India's vibrant culture, followed by a parade of athletes from the participating countries.
Mittal expressed confidence that the tournament will help Kho Kho gain greater attention globally, stating, "Today we proved that India's traditional game Kho Kho is no less than other sports." The Kho Kho World Cup marks a significant milestone for the sport, with the potential to expand its international reach in the coming years.
