kho kho day sees global celebration led by india

India led global celebrations of International Kho Kho Day with a rally at Jantar Mantar and events across states, highlighting Kho Kho’s evolution into an internationally played and recognised sport

Hyderabad: India spearheaded the festivities for 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 showcasing Kho Kho’s transformation from a traditional Indian game into a fast-growing global movement.

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Organised by KKFI, the celebrations also included a magic show and a quiz competition focused on the sport’s history, rules, and evolution. These events brought the community together in a festive spirit, while raising awareness about Kho Kho’s expanding international reach.

National Kho Kho Day was also observed as part of the festivities, with state federations hosting various events across their respective regions.

Speaking on the occasion, Sudhanshu Mittal, President of KKFI and the International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF), said: “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; it is 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 aim 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.”

Dr M S Tyagi, General Secretary of KKFI, added: “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.”