New Delhi [India], June 30, 2025: India spearheaded the festivities in the global observance of International Kho Kho Day, with celebrations highlighting the sport's heritage and growing international footprint. The day began with a high-energy rally at New Delhi's historic Jantar Mantar, where hundreds of players, coaches, and students marched together, led by officials from the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI).
The event set the tone for a day dedicated to demonstrating how Kho Kho has evolved from a traditional Indian sport to a global movement that is rapidly expanding. Organized by the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), the celebrations also included a lively magic show and a quiz competition focused on the history, rules, and evolution of the sport. These events brought the community together in a festive spirit while also raising awareness about Kho Kho's growing international momentum. The state federations held a variety of events in their respective states in honor of National Kho Kho Day as part of the festivities. "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the entire Kho Kho family," said Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF) and President of the KKFI. Kho Kho has become a national pride and identity symbol over the past few years. Kho Kho has now gained global recognition, and it is being played in 56 countries, which is a matter of immense pride for all of us. The fact that local people in these nations are actively participating in the sport is even more significant. 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 witnessed participation and expressions of solidarity from Kho Kho federations across 30+ countries, including Australia, Iran, Nepal, Peru, Vietnam, England and Bangladesh.
"As we observe International Kho Kho Day today, we are overjoyed to witness the worldwide Kho Kho community unite with such enthusiasm. This day is not just about honoring the sport; it is also about uniting the Kho Kho family, which is the embodiment of the game's spirit and soul. 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," said MS Tyagi, General Secretary, KKFI.
This year's International Kho Kho Day marks significant developments for the sport, including the successful commencement of the first-ever Advanced III-A Level Training Programme for coaches and technical officials, which attracted over 230 participants, including more than 20 international coaches and technical officials. It was also announced that international players will be included for the first time in the Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) auction, with Season 3 scheduled to begin on November 29.
As the celebrations came to a close, the message was clear: Kho Kho is still growing in India, and the sport is going to reach new heights in the years to come as more countries take up the sport professionally.