First-ever Kho Kho World Cup to take place in New Delhi in January next year

NEW DELHI: The first-ever Kho Kho World Cup will take place at Thyagraj Stadium in in the national capital from January 13 to 19 next year, the Kho Kho Federation of India announced on Wednesday.

The event will aim to bring India's indigenous sport to the global arena.

On the sidelines of the announcement, an exhibition match was held between Team Maharashtra and the Rest of India, which Team Maharashtra narrowly won 26-24.

The official logo and the tagline -- #TheWorldGoesKho -- for the World Cup were also revealed during the event.

The tournament will feature 24 nations, with both men's and women's teams competing.

Each division includes 16 teams, setting up an intense competition.

" Kho Kho is a sport of our country's mud. So, we are very proud to bring this sport to the mat. A big thank you to the federation which has worked hard to ensure that Kho Kho becomes an international sport," KKFI President Shri Sudhanshu Mittal said.

"We first brought the sport to its fans through the Ultimate Kho Kho League, and now, it is time to take things to the next step with the First Kho Kho World Cup," he added.

"Kho kho has been a part of our country's history from the time of the Mahabharata. The government of India has been promoting as many indigenous games, and hosting the inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup in 2025 is a step in that direction," Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Nikhil Khadse said.

"A big congratulations to the KKFI for their endeavours in different fields, especially sports science, as this takes the level of the game to another level," she added.