The game of Kho Kho has its origins in the Mahabharata, making it one of the oldest games ever played in India, know the history, rules and ground measurement
There are certain similarities between the legendary story of Arjuna’s son Abhimanyu battling in the “Chakravyuh” and a game of Kho Kho. The game, known as Rathera in the past, involved ‘raths’ and chariots but is now played more simply with players competing without the use of any weapons.
Kho Kho Game Rules, History, Ground Size Measurement, Details, Information, Players, Origin State,
𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗦 👉 A news that caught all the headlines 😍🗞️#UltimateKhoKho #AbKhoHoga #KhoKho pic.twitter.com/diqSo8Y2Oc
— Ultimate Kho Kho (@ultimatekhokho) August 5, 2022
Odisha Juggernauts – the state team in the Ultimate Kho Kho League is all set for their participation in the first season starting 14th August. Wish them good luck! Jai Jagannath! @ultimatekhokho @od_juggernauts pic.twitter.com/XB7beK2gmW
— Vineel Krishna (@rvineel_krishna) August 2, 2022
Although the game has been played in the nation for more than three decades, very few people are still aware of its history, rules, and other details. In the Indian state of Maharashtra, the modern game was created. The Deccan Gymkhana of Pune attempted to formalise the game by adding some rules and regulations to give it a sense of dependability and legitimacy. Consequently, nations including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives also took part in the competition.
In 1987, during the third SAF Games in India, the Asian Kho Kho Federation was established. With the first Asian Championship, which was held in Kolkata in 1996, the Kho Kho game earned recognition on a global scale. The game gained even more lustre in 2000 when the second championship was held. And now the nation is prepared to host a league called Ultimate Kho Kho, which will feature the sport’s best players.
Let’s read through the Kho Kho rulebook now as we prepare to watch some exciting action because it will be useful when we watch the bouts.
Game Terminologies
| Pole | At both ends of the playfield, a light wood cylindrical structure constructed specifically for the purpose was erected. |
| Chaser | The member of the opposing team who is running is pursued by the side that is sitting. Chaser sit-in over cross lines in a square position with a different back. |
| Runner | the opponent’s player who is attempting to avoid being caught by the pursuer. |
| Central Lane | two parallel lines connecting the poles. |
| Cross Lane | The central line in the centre of the playing space was severed by the parallel lanes. |
| Kho | the phrase used to transfer the chaser’s baton to other team members. |
| Early Getup | when the chaser who is seated gets up before receiving a Kho |
| Late Kho | when an active chaser violates the rules by moving in the incorrect direction. |
| Changing The Direction | When an active chaser goes in the wrong direction against rules. |
| Minus Kho | a directional error where the pursuing player cannot remove the runner unless Kho is passed to two teammates again or touched to a pole |
| Lobby | the area around the playfield that is unoccupied. |
| Free Zone | the region next to the pole lines when the direction regulation is disregarded and runners are free to travel in any direction. |
| Square | section taken out of the centre lane and the cross lane that is square-shaped and is utilised for the chase’s seating. |
Kho Kho Rules and Regulations
- There are two teams playing a game of Kho Kho.
- There are 12 players on a Kho Kho team. However, only nine people can play on the field—eight from the pursuing team and one from the defensive team.
- A typical game consists of two innings. There will be 9 minutes in each inning, which includes chasing and running.
- The chasing team lines up in the middle of the court, either sitting or kneeling. The eight members of the chasing squad are forced to sit with their backs to one another. Player 2 must face South if Player 1 is facing North, for instance.
- The chasing team makes an effort to complete an inning as soon as possible.
- The chaser must cry “Kho” and tap the back of the teammate to give them a chance to chase if he or she wants to hand the baton to that teammate.
- The winning team is determined by which team touches the pursued athlete in the lowest length of time.
- The throw determines whether is the chaser or the runner.
- The turn may be completed earlier than the allocated time by the captain of the chasing team.
- The team with the most goals wins the game.
- A defender should enter the sitting box from the lobby once they are out.