England, Australia, United States of America, and Pakistan among participating nations
23rd December 2024: The stage is set for the inaugural edition of Kho Kho World Cup set to take place at the IGI Stadium in New Delhi from January 13th, 2025 to January 19th, 2025. To truly highlight the global spectrum of the sport, Kho Kho Federation of India has increased the number of participating teams across both Men’s and Women’s.
Earlier, 16 Men’s and 16 Women’s were set to participate in the tournament, but seeing the massive interest from the participating countries, the field has now been extended to 21 teams for Men’s and 20 teams for Women’s at the World Cup.
Countries from six continents – Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Europe, and Oceania – will be participating in the highly-anticipated tournament. Below is the list of confirmed nations who will challenge for the prestigious trophy.
PARTICIPATING NATIONS IN KHO KHO WORLD CUP 2025:
CONTINENT: AFRICA
Men’s: Ghana, Kenya, South Africa
Women’s: Kenya, South Africa, Uganda
CONTINENT: ASIA
Men’s: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India (host), Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka
Women’s: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India (host), Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka
CONTINENT: EUROPE
Men’s: England, Germany, Netherlands, Poland
Women’s: England, Germany, Netherlands, Poland
CONTINTENT: NORTH AMERICA
Men’s: United States of America
CONTINENT: SOUTH AMERICA
Men’s: Argentina, Brazil, Peru
Women’s: Peru
CONTINENT: OCEANIA
Men’s: Australia
Women’s: Australia, New Zealand
Speaking on the preparations for the World Cup, Kho Kho Federation of India President Shri Sudhanshu Mittal said, “We are keeping the facilities with the foreign delegates in mind. We have devised meals and diet plan for our guests as per their dietary requirements and we are also providing entire logistics, stay, and transport facilities for them, so that they do not face any issues during their stay here. We have also made provisions for all countries to stay till the end of the tournament, irrespective of the results. Kho Kho World Cup 2025 will set the benchmark for international sporting events all around the world.”
The Opening Ceremony for the World Cup will take place on 13th January followed by the first match of the tournament between India and Pakistan. Between 14th January to 16th January, the League stage matches will take place, after which the Quarter-Finals will and Semi-Finals will take place on 17th January and 18th January, respectively. The finals of the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup will take place on 19th January.
The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has officially confirmed its partnership with the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), pledging unwavering support for the event.
ABOUT KHO KHO FEDERATION OF INDIA
The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) is the national governing body for Kho-Kho in India with Shri Sudhanshu Mittal as the President of the organisation. All the state associations are affiliated to the National Federation which conducts the National championship for Men, Women and Junior classes every year. Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK), a franchise-based Indian Kho-Kho league, is hosted in collaboration with KKFI each year.