As recognition grows, greater representation in future leagues is expected, paving the way for full inclusion in domestic and international Kho Kho circuits. Uniform guidelines, movement rules, and point systems are identical across genders. While the framework is the same, teams of men traditionally had more access to training resources, though this gap has reduced significantly after recent global tournaments. International fixtures feature country-based squads, while leagues follow a commercial and regional approach.
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He captained Telugu Yoddhas in the Ultimate Kho Kho League as runners-up and led Maharashtra to gold in the 56th Senior National Championship. The coach is a backbone of whole team, as he conducts the regular practice sessions to improve the team’s skills and techniques and the practice has already begun. The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) promotes and develops the indigenous sport of Kho Kho across India, nurturing talent from grassroots to professional levels. Kho Kho, a sport which resonates with every Bharatwasi, is today popular worldwide and stands at par with any other competitive sport.
The Indian women’s team for this big tournament will be led by Priyanka Ingle, whose experience and sportsmanship will play an important role for the team. The 2025 edition of the Kho Kho World Cup marked a milestone for the sport, bringing together a strong lineup of national teams across continents. The tournament was held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, showcasing high-performance squads in both categories of men and women. While many teams were participating for the first time, the matches reflected competitive spirit and tactical discipline. Group stage fixtures were structured to allow balanced matchups, leading into intense knockout rounds. India dominated the event, winning all their matches and securing both titles.
- Mamta Kadam and Anuja Jadhav have also made it to the team with their hard work and boost team India performance.
- Through structured guidance, these federations have successfully brought Kho Kho to new audiences and elevated its standing in the international sporting landscape.
- A stellar Dream Run by B Chaithra in Turn 4, lasting over five minutes, sealed the victory.
- The Indian women Kho Kho team demonstrated the strength of this format during the 2025 World Cup, going undefeated and winning all their matches.
- It provides a balanced and competitive structure, ensuring equal opportunities for both sides to attack and defend.
- The captain initiates defensive setups, controls the transition between turns, and makes tactical changes based on the opposing approach of the team.
National International Kho Kho Day
At the end of the turn, the scoreline was 26-0 in favor of the Indians — a perfect start for the side. The team will be coached by Sumit Bhatia, who is an accomplished Kho Kho coach, with national achievements including multiple medals in the Senior National Championships. The 2025 Kho Kho World Cup featured 23 nations, with 20 teams of men and 19 teams of women from across Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas. Yes, India has a dedicated Kho Kho team of women, which won the 2025 World Cup with an undefeated record and exceptional overall performance.
Kho Kho, along with other indigenous Indian sports like kabaddi and mallakhamb, was first demonstrated at the Berlin 1936 Olympics. The Kho Kho World Cup 2025 will begin with the group stages, followed by knockout rounds, with the finals scheduled for January 19. The 2025 Indian team was led by experienced captains who managed match strategy and player coordination, contributing to their unbeaten World Cup campaign. Each affiliated team is recognised officially for international events, including the World Cup and invitational series. Their role is vital in promoting talent, developing infrastructure, and facilitating cross-border competitions. The captains of India in the 2025 edition demonstrated strong match awareness, handled turn transitions efficiently, and guided their teams through challenging stages.
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This landmark event featured 23 countries across six continents, with 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams competing in the fast-paced seven-a-side format. The Indian women’s team mirrored their male counterparts’ success by defeating Nepal in the final. Captain Priyanka Ingle led with multiple touch points, establishing a strong foundation in Turn 1. A stellar Dream Run by B Chaithra in Turn 4, lasting over five minutes, sealed the victory.
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The tournament will run for the entire week with the final on Sunday (January 19). Alex graduated in mass communication in 2016 and has been covering global sports for Khel Now since then. He is covering sports tech, igaming, sports betting and casino domain from 2017.
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Rutuja Lad and Ashwini Patil have also been selected for the Kho Kho World cup 2025, whose skill and strength have taken them to this level. Swati’s intelligence and Pooja’s strength can prove to be beneficial for the team. Fans in India can watch the live television broadcast of all Kho Kho World Cup 2025 matches on Star Sports Network and DD Sports. In addition, Disney+ Hotstar app and website will livestream the matches for digital users.
In high-stakes matches like the World Cup final, quick decisions by the captain can directly impact outcomes. A good captain remains composed, reads the match flow, and motivates the team under pressure. The identity of each squad in competitive Kho Kho is closely tied to how it is named and presented visually.
Countries participating under the Asian Kho Kho Federation and the International Kho Kho Federation reflect the rapid expansion of sport beyond its traditional roots. Member nations include several from South Asia, Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas. These governing bodies ensure standardised rules, training frameworks, and tournament protocols across regions. Female athletes demonstrated that they match their male counterparts in strategy, athleticism, and performance.
Uniforms not only distinguish teams and contribute to discipline and professionalism on the court. The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, held at Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi, from January 13th to January 19th, was a landmark moment in the history of Kho Kho and stands as one of our greatest achievements. It had participation from 39 teams from 23 nations across all 6 continents, with over 800 participants. Furthermore, it was broadcast live on Star Sports, DD, and streamed on Disney+Hotstar and garnered over 460.2 million cumulative views- an impressive testament to its rising appeal and digital readiness. This double triumph underscores India’s dominance in the sport, with both teams cementing their legacy as inaugural Kho Kho World Cup champions.
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Mehul and Suman Barman were equally impressive, and this sealed a much-deserved trophy for Team India as the score read at the end of the final. Attacking first, an exceptional skydive by Ramji Kashyap got Nepal’s Suraj Pujara. Suyash Gargate then touched Bharat Sahu to give India a great start with 10 points in just 4 minutes. Sky-dives were the name of the game for the Men in Blue, and this ensured a bright start for the side in Turn 1, preventing the Dream Run for their opponents.
Strong leadership and skilled execution define the dominance of India in international Kho Kho. Behind each successful match lies a combination of strategic thinking, coordination, and individual brilliance. The Indian Kho Kho team captain plays a central role in guiding the on-field decisions and maintaining morale of the squad. At the international level, names are based on national affiliation, while franchise leagues follow regional branding. Jerseys carry specific colours, numbers, and emblems to reflect a heritage and spirit of the team. The evolution of Kho Kho team names showcases the blend of tradition and modern competition formats of the sport.
Only 12 take the field during a match—7 attackers and 5 defenders—while others serve as substitutes. Matches follow a structured format with two innings, each divided into turns of 7 minutes. With a balanced mix of experience and youth, strong leadership, and a focus on teamwork and fitness, they can aim for a successful campaign and win first Men’s kho-kho world cup title. This time the competition will be full of excitement and thrill not only for the players but also for the sports lovers. Everyone’s eyes are fixed on this team to see how these players will bring glory to the country with their talent and hard work.
- India showcased their dominance throughout the tournament, beginning with convincing victories over Brazil, Peru, and Bhutan in the group stages.
- The Kho Kho World Cup 2025 will begin with the group stages, followed by knockout rounds, with the finals scheduled for January 19.
- This tournament will be played in Delhi from January 13 – 19 and 20 Men’s & Women’s team around 6 continents will play in this tournament to lift the first ever Kho Kho World cup trophy!
- Furthermore, it was broadcast live on Star Sports, DD, and streamed on Disney+Hotstar and garnered over 460.2 million cumulative views- an impressive testament to its rising appeal and digital readiness.
- While the framework is the same, teams of men traditionally had more access to training resources, though this gap has reduced significantly after recent global tournaments.
- The 2025 Kho Kho World Cup featured 23 nations, with 20 teams of men and 19 teams of women from across Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas.
- India emerged as the top-performing nation across both segments of the competition.
Their calm yet assertive leadership contributed significantly to the championship wins in both divisions. They manage match rhythm, rotate players strategically, and ensure the team adapts to dynamic play conditions. The captain initiates defensive setups, controls the transition between turns, and makes tactical changes based on the opposing approach of the team. Supporting the captain are seasoned players who understand momentum, timing, and opponent patterns.
Both teams were selected after an extensive training camp held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi in December. The Indian men’s team will be led by Pratik Waikar, who made his international debut in 2016. Waikar, also the captain of the Telugu Yoddhas in the Ultimate Kho Kho League, led his team to the finals in 2022 and the semi-finals in 2023. The men’s team will be coached by Ashwani Kumar Sharma, a veteran with over five decades of experience. Priyanka Ingle, an all-rounder, will captain the women’s team under the guidance of head coach Sumit Bhatia. KKFI has announced the Women’s Indian team for Kho-Kho World Indian kho kho national side Cup 2025 in a press conference at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Delhi) with a bold statement that this team is all set to make the country proud with its performance.