The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025 was held from January 13 to 19 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, India. The tournament featured 20 men's teams and 19 women's teams from 23 countries across six continents.
In the men's final, India defeated Nepal with a score of 54-36, while the Indian women's team triumphed over Nepal 78-40 in their final, making India the first-ever champions in both categories.
The competition was organized by the Kho Kho Federation of India and the International Kho Kho Federation, utilizing a seven-a-side fast format similar to Ultimate Kho Kho. Teams were divided into four groups, progressing through group stages to knockout rounds.
The event aimed to promote kho kho on a global scale, with participation from countries including the USA, England, Germany, and Australia. Notably, Canada withdrew due to diplomatic tensions, and Pakistan's team was unable to secure visas.
The success of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 has significantly boosted the sport's international profile, fostering aspirations for its inclusion in future Olympic Games.
For a visual highlight of the women's team's victory, you can watch the following video:
The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup was held from January 13 to 19, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, India. This historic event featured 20 men's teams and 19 women's teams from 23 countries across six continents.
In the men's final, India triumphed over Nepal with a score of 54–36, while the Indian women's team secured victory against Nepal with a commanding 78–40 win. Both Indian teams remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, marking a significant achievement in the sport's history.
The tournament adopted a fast-paced seven-a-side format, similar to that used in Ultimate Kho Kho, aiming to modernize and globalize the traditional Indian sport. The success of the inaugural World Cup has set a promising precedent for future international competitions in kho kho.