New Delhi. Continuing their exceptional run in the tournament, the Indian women’s Kho Kho team advanced to the quarter-finals with a commanding victory over Iran, winning by a staggering 84 points at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. This triumph follows their record-breaking 175-18 win against South Korea, further solidifying their status as top contenders.

India asserted dominance from the beginning, with the team eliminating Iran’s first batch in just 33 seconds. Ashwini led the aggressive charge, while Meenu showcased her outstanding form, scoring multiple touchpoints to secure 50 points for India in Turn 1 alone. The relentless performance persisted across all four Turns, punctuated by a sensational 6-minute-8-second Dream Run in Turn 3 that left no doubt about the outcome.

Guided by the tactical expertise of Wazir Nirmala and crucial contributions from captain Priyanka Ingle, Nirmala Bhati, and Nasreen, the Women in Blue demonstrated both skill and strategy, firmly establishing themselves as the team to beat in the tournament.

Match Awards:

• Best Attacker: Mobina
• Best Defender: Meenu
• Best Player: Priyanka Ingle

The first-ever Kho Kho World Cup will be held in New Delhi, and Team India is ready to compete with a stellar lineup. Check out the players and coaches preparing to represent India on the global stage.

New Delhi.The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) and the International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF) have officially announced the final squads for Team India’s men’s and women’s teams ahead of the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025. The tournament, set to take place at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi from January 13 to 19, will feature 20 men’s teams and 19 women’s teams, with 23 countries competing in this groundbreaking event.

The men’s team will be captained by Pratik Waikar, an Eklavya Award winner who debuted for India in 2016. Waikar, who has been playing Kho Kho since the age of eight, has had a distinguished career, securing gold at the 56th Senior National Championship and leading Telugu Yoddhas to the runner-up spot in the Ultimate Kho Kho League. Despite holding degrees in Computer Science and Finance, Waikar pursued Kho Kho professionally and continues to inspire with his leadership.

“I felt overwhelmed with emotion when I heard my name announced as the captain. Leading India in the first-ever World Cup on our home soil is a dream come true,” said Waikar following the announcement.

Ashwani Kumar Sharma, a seasoned coach with over 50 years of experience, will support the men’s team. Sharma has led the national team to gold at the 2019 South Asian Games and coached the Odisha Juggernauts to victory in UKK season 1. He was named Delhi’s best coach in 2014 and continues to be a key figure in the development of Kho Kho.

For the women’s team, Priyanka Ingle will serve as captain. A stalwart in the sport, Ingle has competed in 23 National Championships over 15 years. Her accolades include the Ila Award for best sub-junior player, the Rani Laxmi Bai Award, and a gold medal at the 4th Asian Kho Kho Championship in 2022-23. Ingle also balances her career in the Income Tax Department with her passion for Kho Kho.

“I am honored to lead the women’s team in the first World Cup. I will do my best to fulfill the trust placed in me and bring home the gold,” said Ingle.

Sumit Bhatia, an experienced Kho Kho coach, will guide the women’s team. Bhatia has an impressive record, with multiple medals in the Senior National Championships and golds at the 3rd Asian Championship and the 12th South Asian Games.

Speaking at the press conference, KKFI President Shri Sudhanshu Mittal remarked, “This is a historic moment for Kho Kho as we prepare to host the first-ever World Cup. The teams represent the best talent from across India, selected through a rigorous process. With Pratik Waikar and Priyanka Ingle leading the charge, we are confident of outstanding performances. This World Cup will showcase Kho Kho’s evolution from a traditional Indian sport to an international event with Olympic potential.”

Shri MS Tyagi, General Secretary of KKFI, added, “The response from 23 countries reflects the growing global appeal of Kho Kho. With world-class facilities at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, we are set to host a landmark tournament. This World Cup will not only highlight India’s organizational strengths but will also pave the way for Kho Kho to establish itself as a major international sport.”

The final squads were selected after an intensive training camp at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi in December 2024. The KKFI Selection Committee, guided by President Shri Sudhanshu Mittal and General Secretary Shri MS Tyagi, played a crucial role in finalizing the teams, with input from the coaching staff. The 60 male and 60 female players who participated in the camp were carefully assessed to select the final 15 players for both teams.

TEAM INDIA MEN’S SQUAD
Pratik Waikar (Captain), Prabani Sabar, Mehul, Sachin Bhargo, Suyash Gargate, Ramji Kashyap, Siva Pothir Reddy, Aditya Ganpule, Gowtham M.K., Nikhil B, Akash Kumar, Subramani V., Suman Barman, Aniket Pote, S. Rokeson Singh
Standby: Akshay Bangare, Rajvardhan Shankar Patil, Vishwanath Janakiram.

TEAM INDIA WOMEN’S SQUAD
Priyanka Ingle (Captain), Ashwini Shinde, Reshma Rathore, Bhilar Devjibhai, Nirmala Bhati, Neeta Devi, Chaithra R., Subhashree Sing, Magai Majhi, Anshu Kumari, Vaishnavi Bajrang, Nasreen Shaikh, Meenu, Monika, Nazia Bibi
Standby: Sampada More, Ritika Siloriya, Priyanka Bhopi

The World Cup, set to kick off on January 13, will be broadcast on Star and Doordarshan

New Delhi. The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) marked a historic moment today at The Imperial Hotel, Janpath, unveiling the prestigious trophies for the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup, scheduled for January 13-19, 2025. Under the aegis of the Sports Authority Of India (SAI), the tournament will showcase 21 men’s and 20 women’s teams from 24 countries across six continents at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi.

The World Cup will feature two magnificent trophies – a blue trophy for the men’s championship and a green trophy for the women’s event. Both trophies embody the dynamic spirit of Kho Kho through their contemporary design, featuring flowing curves and golden figures. The blue trophy symbolizes trust, determination, and universal appeal, while the green trophy represents growth and vitality. Both pieces feature intricate crystal detailing that symbolizes the precision and excellence demanded at the highest level of competition.

The Federation also proudly introduced ‘Tejas’ and ‘Tara,’ a dynamic duo of gazelles serving as the official mascots for the tournament. These mascots embody the sport’s core attributes of speed, agility, and teamwork. Tejas, symbolizing brilliance and energy, and Tara, representing guidance and aspiration, are depicted in vibrant blue and orange sporting attire adorned with traditional Indian motifs, celebrating both the sport’s heritage and its modern appeal.

The KKFI has assembled an impressive roster of partners to ensure the tournament’s success. EaseMyTrip joins as the execution partner, managing travel logistics for all participants. The broadcast reach will be maximised through Star Sports Network and Doordarshan as TV broadcast partners, while Disney+ Hotstar will serve as the OTT broadcast partner. GMR Sports has come on board as the Silver Sponsor, while District by Zomato will handle ticketing services through their platform. 

Shiv Naresh will outfit the participants as the official kitting partner. The ceremonial dress partners include Blackberry and Tata Taneira. Meanwhile, adding a cultural dimension, Nayan Naveli Gallery joins as the contemporary art partner. Grant Thornton will support the tournament’s strategic framework as the strategic sports development partner, while Deloitte will serve as the knowledge partner, bringing its expertise in analytics and operational efficiency.

“We are very grateful to all our stakeholders who will be supporting the inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025. The World Cup will be live streamed free on Disney+ Hotstar and broadcast for free on DD Sports as well, which is a massive boost to a sport indigenous to India. This World Cup is the first step towards taking the sport to the Olympics, and with the help of all our partners, we hope to show the world the beauty of Kho Kho. Our mascots Tejas and Tara symbolize the sport’s core attributes of speed, agility, and teamwork. And the trophies — blue for the men’s tournament and green for the women’s trophy — is a mark of unity and harmony, and will set new standards of excellence at a global stage,” said Shri Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India.

“This World Cup marks a watershed moment for Kho Kho, transforming our indigenous sport into a global phenomenon. The overwhelming response from 24 nations reflects the universal appeal of Kho Kho and its potential to unite diverse cultures through sport. With world-class infrastructure and support from our esteemed partners, we are confident of delivering a tournament that will set new benchmarks in sporting excellence and establish Kho Kho as a dynamic, modern sport on the international stage,” said Shri MS Tyagi, General Secretary, Kho Kho Federation of India.

The tournament promises to be a landmark event in the history of this indigenous sport, bringing together global talent and showcasing India’s sporting heritage on the world stage.