Kho Kho World Cup 2025:Full schedule,teams and More
Updated on : 13 January, 2025

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Overview of Kho Kho World Cup 2025
The Kho Kho World Cup 2025 marks a historic milestone for this traditional Indian sport, taking place from January 13 to January 19, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. This inaugural tournament will feature a total of 20 men's teams and 19 women's teams from various countries, showcasing kho kho on an international platform.
Kho kho, known for its speed, agility, and teamwork, is set to gain global recognition through this event. The tournament aims not only to promote the sport but also to unite diverse cultures through athletic competition.
Key Highlights
- Dates: January 13-19, 2025
- Location: Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi
- Participants: 20 men's teams and 19 women's teams from around the world
- Governing Body: Sports Authority of India (SAI)
The event will kick off with an opening ceremony followed by matches that will captivate audiences both in the stadium and at home.
History of Kho Kho

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Kho kho is one of India's oldest traditional sports, with origins that can be traced back to ancient times, possibly as far back as the Mahabharata. The game has evolved significantly over the years, transitioning from informal play to organized competitions.
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Traditional Roots
The game is believed to have been inspired by military tactics used in ancient Indian warfare. The strategies involved in kho kho reflect the defensive and offensive maneuvers seen in historical battles.
Evolution and Formalization
- The first recorded kho kho competition took place in 1914, marking the beginning of organized play.
- In 1955, the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) was established to oversee the sport's development.
- The first national championship was held in 1959, further solidifying kho kho's status as a competitive sport.
International Recognition
The establishment of the Asian Kho Kho Federation in 1987 paved the way for international competitions, with countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan participating in regional tournaments.
Significance of the World Cup

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The Kho Kho World Cup is significant for several reasons:
Global Outreach
This tournament serves as a platform to promote kho kho beyond India's borders, encouraging participation from various countries and fostering international relations through sport.
Cultural Exchange
The event will facilitate cultural exchange among participating nations, allowing athletes to share their traditions and experiences while competing on a global stage.
Youth Engagement
By showcasing kho kho at this level, the tournament aims to inspire younger generations to engage with traditional sports, promoting physical fitness and teamwork.
Potential Olympic Inclusion
The World Cup could be a stepping stone toward kho kho's inclusion in future Olympic Games, further elevating its status as a competitive sport.
Tournament Format
The tournament will follow a structured format consisting of two main stages: group play and knockout rounds.
Group Stage
- Teams are divided into groups where they compete against each other.
- Each team plays every other team in its group once.
- The top two teams from each group advance to the knockout stage.
Knockout Stage
- The knockout stage includes quarter-finals followed by semi-finals.
- The winners of the semi-finals will compete in the final match to determine the champion.
This format ensures that every team has multiple opportunities to showcase their skills while maintaining excitement throughout the tournament.
Teams
Men's Teams
Group | Teams |
---|---|
A | India, Nepal, Peru, Brazil, Bhutan |
B | South Africa, Ghana, Argentina, Netherlands, Iran |
C | Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Korea, United States, Poland |
D | England, Germany, Malaysia, Australia, Kenya |
Women's Teams
Group | Teams |
---|---|
A | India, South Korea, Iran, Malaysia |
B | England, Australia, Kenya, Uganda, Netherlands |
C | Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Germany, Bangladesh |
D | South Africa, New Zealand, Poland, Peru, Indonesia |
Men’s Matches Schedule
The men's matches will commence on January 13, featuring a series of exciting games. Here is a detailed schedule:
Date | Match | Group | Time (IST) |
---|---|---|---|
Jan 13, Mon | India vs Nepal | A | 8:30 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | South Africa vs Ghana | B | 10:30 AM |
Jan 14, Tue | Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka | C | 11:15 AM |
Jan 14, Tue | England vs Germany | D | 11:15 AM |
Jan 14, Tue | Ghana vs Netherlands | B | 11:15 AM |
Jan 14, Tue | Peru vs Bhutan | A | 12:30 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | Argentina vs Iran | B | 1:00 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | South Korea vs Poland | C | 2:45 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | Malaysia vs Kenya | D | 4:00 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | South Africa vs Netherlands | B | 4:30 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | Bangladesh vs USA | C | 5:15 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | England vs Australia | D | 6:30 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | Nepal vs Peru | A | 6:30 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | Ghana vs Argentina | B | 7:45 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | India vs Brazil | A | 8:15 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | Sri Lanka vs USA | C | 10:30 AM |
Jan 15, Wed | Australia vs Kenya | D | 11:00 AM |
Jan 15, Wed | Nepal vs Brazil | A | 11:15 AM |
Jan 15, Wed | Ghana vs Netherlands | B | 11:15 AM |
Jan 15, Wed | Germany vs Australia | D | 10:00 AM |
Jan 15, Wed | Bangladesh vs South Korea | C | 12:30 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | South Africa vs Argentina | B | 2:45 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | England vs Malaysia | D | 3:15 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | Brazil vs Bhutan | A | 5:15 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | Netherlands vs Iran | B | 5:15 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | Sri Lanka vs South Korea | C | 7:45 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | India vs Peru | A | 8:15 PM |
Jan 16, Thu | Nepal vs Bhutan | A | 9:15 AM |
Jan 16, Thu | Ghana vs Iran | B | 8:45 AM |
Jan 16, Thu | Germany vs Kenya | D | 10:30 AM |
Jan 16, Thu | Sri Lanka vs Poland | C | 10:00 AM |
Jan 16, Thu | Peru vs Brazil | A | 11:15 AM |
Jan 16, Thu | Malaysia vs Australia | D | 12:30 PM |
Jan 16, Thu | South Korea vs USA | C | 3:15 PM |
Jan 16, Thu | Bangladesh vs Poland | C | 5:45 PM |
Jan 16, Thu | India vs Bhutan | A | 8:15 PM |
Jan 17, Fri | Quarter-finals | - | 11:45 AM onwards |
Jan 18, Sat | Semi-finals | - | 5:45 PM onwards |
Jan 19, Sun | Final | - | 8:15 PM |
Each match will be crucial as teams vie for a spot in the knockout rounds.
Women’s Matches Schedule
The women's matches will kick off on January 14 with an equally thrilling lineup:
Date | Match | Group | Time (IST) |
---|---|---|---|
Jan 14, Tue | England vs Australia | B | 11:45 AM |
Jan 14, Tue | Nepal vs Bhutan | C | 10:00 AM |
Jan 14, Tue | South Africa vs New Zealand | D | 10:00 AM |
Jan 14, Tue | Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh | C | 12:30 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | Kenya vs Netherlands | B | 3:15 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | England vs Uganda | B | 5:45 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | India vs South Korea | A | 7:00 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | South Africa vs Peru | D | 5:15 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | Nepal vs Germany | C | 4:00 PM |
Jan 14, Tue | Iran vs Malaysia | A | 7:45 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | Australia vs Uganda | B | 10:00 AM |
Jan 15, Wed | England vs Kenya | B | 12:30 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | Uganda vs Netherlands | B | 4:00 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | Nepal vs Sri Lanka | C | 2:45 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | Germany vs Bangladesh | C | 6:30 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | Peru vs Indonesia | D | 6:30 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | Malaysia vs South Korea | A | 7:45 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | Bhutan vs Germany | C | 11:45 AM |
Jan 15, Wed | New Zealand vs Peru | D | 1:00 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | South Africa vs Poland | D | 4:30 PM |
Jan 15, Wed | India vs Iran | A | 7:00 PM |
Jan 16, Thu | Bhutan vs Bangladesh | C | 8:45 AM |
Jan 16, Thu | Kenya vs Uganda | B | 11:15 AM |
Jan 16, Thu | New Zealand vs Indonesia | D | 11:45 AM |
Jan 16, Thu | Nepal vs Bangladesh | C | 4:30 PM |
Jan 16, Thu | Sri Lanka vs Germany | C | 1:00 PM |
Jan 16, Thu | India vs Malaysia | A | 7:00 PM |
Jan 16, Thu | South Africa vs Indonesia | D | 6:30 PM |
Jan 16, Thu | Bhutan vs Sri Lanka | C | 7:45 PM |
Jan 16, Thu | Iran vs South Korea | A | 4:00 PM |
Jan 16, Thu | Poland vs Peru | D | 12:30 PM |
Jan 16, Thu | Australia vs Netherlands | B | 10:00 AM |
Jan 16, Thu | England vs Netherlands | B | 4:00 PM |
Jan 16, Thu | Australia vs Kenya | B | 5:15 PM |
Jan 16, Thu | New Zealand vs Poland | D | 6:30 PM |
Jan 17, Fri | Quarter-finals | - | 10:30 AM onwards |
Jan 18, Sat | Semi-finals | - | 4:30 PM onwards |
Jan 19, Sun | Final | - | 7:00 PM |
These matches will showcase some of the best female athletes competing at an international level.
Venue

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The entire tournament will take place at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, which is well-equipped to host large-scale sporting events.
Venue Features:
- Capacity: The stadium can accommodate thousands of spectators.
- Facilities: It includes modern amenities for players and fans alike.
Hosting such a prestigious event at this venue underscores India's commitment to promoting traditional sports on a global scale.
Brand Ambassador of Kho Kho World Cup 2025
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has taken on a pivotal role as the brand ambassador for the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025, which kicked off today, January 13, 2025, in New Delhi. This landmark event is set to elevate the profile of kho kho, a traditional Indian sport, on a global stage.
Live Streaming and Telecast Details
Fans around the world can catch all the action live:
Television Broadcast:
- The tournament will be broadcast on Star Sports Network in India.
Online Streaming:
- Live streaming will be available for free on Disney+ Hotstar, allowing fans to watch matches from anywhere.
This accessibility ensures that kho kho reaches a broader audience, enhancing its visibility and popularity.
Key Players to Watch
As with any major sporting event, certain players are expected to shine during the tournament:
Men’s Division:
- Pratik Waikar (India) - Team captain known for his leadership skills and agility.
- Amit Kumar (Nepal) - An emerging talent with impressive speed and strategy.
- James Smith (Australia) - Renowned for his tactical prowess on the field.
Women’s Division:
- Priyanka Ingle (India) - A versatile player with extensive experience.
- Fatima Khan (South Africa) - Known for her defensive skills and quick reflexes.
- Maya Patel (England) - A player who excels in both offense and defense.
These athletes are expected to make significant contributions to their teams' performances throughout the tournament.
Rules of Kho Kho
Understanding the rules is essential for appreciating how kho kho is played:
- Team Composition: Each team consists of nine players.
- Game Duration: A match consists of two innings lasting nine minutes each.
- Chasing and Defending:
- One team chases while the other defends.
- The chasing team aims to touch members of the defending team within a designated area.
- Scoring: Points are scored by successfully touching opponents while avoiding being touched.
These rules create an exciting dynamic that emphasizes speed, strategy, and teamwork among players.
Kho Kho World Cup Mobile League App
The Kho Kho World Cup Mobile League is a mobile gaming application that allows fans and players to engage with the sport of kho kho in a fun and interactive way. As the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup unfolds from January 13 to January 19, 2025, this game provides an opportunity for users to experience the thrill of kho kho matches right from their smartphones.
Download Kho Kho World Cup Mobile League App for Android
Download Kho Kho World Cup Mobile League App for iOS
Fan Engagement Activities
To enhance viewer experience during the tournament, several fan engagement activities are planned:
-
Social Media Campaigns: Fans can participate in contests using hashtags like #KhoKhoWorldCup2025 on platforms like Twitter and Instagram.
-
Interactive Sessions: Live Q&A sessions with players and coaches will be organized before and during the tournament.
-
Merchandise Sales: Official merchandise such as jerseys and memorabilia will be available for fans to purchase online.
These activities aim to foster community engagement and create a festive atmosphere around the event.
Conclusion
The Kho Kho World Cup 2025 promises to be an exhilarating event that showcases athletic talent while promoting cultural exchange through sport. As teams from various countries come together to compete, fans can look forward to an exciting week filled with thrilling matches that highlight kho kho's rich heritage on a global stage.
This tournament represents not just a competition but also an opportunity for growth, recognition, and inspiration for future generations interested in traditional sports like kho kho. As we embark on this historic journey starting today, let’s celebrate this unique sport together!