India Celebrates International Kho Kho Day, Aims for Olympic Inclusion

Last Updated:July 01, 2025, 12:11 IST

India celebrated International Kho Kho Day with a rally at New Delhi's Jantar Mantar. The sport is now played in 56 countries, aiming for the 2030 Asian Games and 2032 Olympics.

The KKFI celebrating Kho Kho day. (KKFI)

India led the global celebration of International Kho Kho Day, showcasing the sport’s rich heritage and its expanding international presence.

The day commenced on Sunday with an energetic rally at New Delhi’s historic Jantar Mantar. Hundreds of players, coaches, and students marched together, guided by officials from the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI). This event set the stage for a day dedicated to highlighting Kho Kho’s evolution from a traditional Indian sport to a burgeoning global movement.

Organised by the KKFI, the festivities also featured an engaging magic show and a quiz competition centred on the sport’s history, rules, and development. These activities fostered community spirit and heightened awareness of Kho Kho’s growing international influence.

National Kho Kho Day was celebrated with various state federations hosting activities in their respective regions.

Sudhanshu Mittal, President of KKFI and the International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF), addressed the gathering, saying, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Kho Kho family. Over the past few years, Kho Kho has emerged as a symbol of pride and identity for our nation.

Kho Kho has now gained global recognition, being played in 56 countries, which is a matter of immense pride for all of us. Even more significant is that local citizens of these countries are actively playing the sport. We are committed to seeing Kho Kho included in the 2030 Asian Games and aiming for its presence in the 2032 Olympic Games as well. The entire Kho Kho family is united and working tirelessly to elevate this sport to new heights."

The occasion saw participation and expressions of solidarity from Kho Kho federations across more than 30 countries, including Australia, Iran, Nepal, Peru, Vietnam, England, and Bangladesh.

Dr. M.S. Tyagi, General Secretary of KKFI, remarked, “Today, as we celebrate International Kho Kho Day, it fills us with pride to see the global Kho Kho community come together with such enthusiasm. This day is not just about commemorating the sport, it is about uniting the Kho Kho family that represents the spirit and soul of this game. Our shared vision is to take Kho Kho to greater heights, with aspirations of seeing it represented in global arenas like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games. Under the collective efforts of our entire team, we are committed to turning this dream into a reality."

This year’s International Kho Kho Day coincides with significant milestones for the sport, including the successful launch of the first-ever Advanced III-A Level Training Programme for coaches and technical officials, with over 230 participants, including more than 20 international coaches and technical officials. Additionally, it was announced that international players would be included for the first time in the Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) auction, with Season 3 set to begin on November 29, 2025.

As the celebrations concluded, the message was clear: India remains at the forefront of Kho Kho’s international expansion, and with more countries embracing the sport professionally, Kho Kho is poised to reach new heights in the coming years.

With IANS Inputs

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