Regular participation in federation-approved events helps teams gain global exposure and rankings. Through structured guidance, these federations have successfully brought Kho Kho to new audiences and elevated its standing in the international sporting landscape. They manage match rhythm, rotate players strategically, and ensure the team adapts to dynamic play conditions.

A good captain remains composed, reads the match flow, and motivates the team under pressure. Fans in India can watch the live television broadcast of all Kho Kho World Cup 2025 matches on Star Sports Network and DD Sports. In addition, Disney+ Hotstar app and website will livestream the matches for digital users. When the defending team scores above 9, its captain has an option to stop first innings like declaration in cricket.

Matches followed a fast-paced seven-a-side format, with turns lasting seven minutes each. India emerged as the top-performing nation across both segments of the competition. Points earned in each turn are cumulative, and the final score determines the winner. The process is time-bound and regulated, with short breaks allowed between turns.

h Senior National Kho-Kho Championship in Odisha from March 31

Kho Kho betting refers to the process of placing wagers on outcomes related to professional matches. These activities are often facilitated through regulated online portals that track live scores and provide dynamic odds. Kho Kho sports in India has witnessed rapid growth and renewed interest across demographics. The reach of the sport now extends beyond its historical roots, supported by digital platforms and organised tournaments. Effective communication is essential, with the captain acting as the link between the coach and team during matches. In high-stakes matches like the World Cup final, quick decisions by the captain can directly impact outcomes.

• Selection is based on league performance, fitness trials, skill assessments, and recommendations from national coaches and state-level associations.
• A chaser can only run in the direction in which they take their first step in, also called taking direction.
• Figures such as Ramji Kashyap and Priyanka Ingle not only demonstrated superior skill and upheld leadership responsibilities at the highest level.
• The 2025 season of international competition showcased the dominance of India in this traditional sport.
• His ability to perform under pressure was evident in the final, where India defeated Nepal 54–36.
• Generally, Khos are given when a defender crosses over to the other end of the central lane, so tagging in a chaser facing that direction of the court is always the norm.

Each squad is carefully organized to include active chasers, defenders, and reserves, ensuring maximum performance on the field. The growth of global events has led to standardised formats, attracting athletes from around the world and offering them a platform to demonstrate their physical and tactical excellence. The future of this traditional Indian pursuit looks increasingly promising both within the country and globally. With structured leagues, youth academies, and digital broadcasts now in place, the game is transitioning into a modern, commercially viable discipline.

Support from institutions like the Kho Kho Federation of India ensures continued grassroots development, while the rise of international federations points to wider global acceptance. At the international level, names are based on national affiliation, while franchise leagues follow regional branding. Jerseys carry specific colours, numbers, and emblems to reflect a heritage and spirit of the team. The evolution of Kho Kho team names showcases the blend of tradition and modern competition formats of the sport. Of these, 9 are active at any given moment—7 attackers participate directly in the chase, and 2 are part of the sitting lineup or waiting to rotate. The remaining 3 players serve as substitutes and can be brought in during transitions or when strategic adjustments are needed.

Kho Kho Rules, Techniques & Terminology

The two top teams of each group, along with the two best-performing third-placed teams, will qualify for the quarterfinals. Two yellow cards accumulated in different matches of a tournament will force the player to miss the next match. A direct red card, meanwhile, results in suspension from the ongoing match and the next match of the tournament. Generally, Khos are given when a defender crosses over to the other end of the central lane, so tagging in a chaser facing that direction of the court is always the norm. Tags or Khos to chasing team-mates are generally made on the back, between the shoulder and waist. However, they can tag one of their fellow inactive chasers while uttering the word ‘Kho’ to hand over the chase to them.

India hosted the inaugural global tournament in 2023 at Balewadi Stadium in Pune. This event marked a significant milestone for the sport, bringing together the teams of men and ten women from around the world. Organised with support from the Kho Kho Federation of India and various international partners, it set a precedent in terms of event scale, rule standardisation, and media coverage. The Kho Kho premier league concept has been embodied by UKK, which is paving the way for future global expansion. Kho Kho Federation of India has taken the lead in transforming the traditional team chase contest into a structured national-level competition. It regulates domestic championships, ensures compliance with updated rules, and supports athlete development through grassroots programs.

Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 Hall of Fame: Meet the top Defenders

• Specifically, seven chasers occupy attacker blocks and one free zone, while up to 12 defenders rotate in turns during their defensive role.
• The 2025 Kho Kho World Cup featured 23 nations, with 20 teams of men and 19 teams of women from across Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas.
• Each participant must perform a role that complements the overall strategy of the team.
• Hosting international tournaments positions India not only as a participant and as a strategic leader in shaping the future of the sport.
• The stadium, with a seating capacity of 14,000, offers advanced lighting, television broadcast support, and digitally monitored scoring systems, making it suitable for fast-paced team matches.

Each Kho Kho team includes 12 players—9 active participants and 3 substitutes—ensuring flexibility and balance during match play and team rotations. While the division of men has been featured prominently in the Ultimate Kho Kho League, the league format of women is still under development. The exceptional performance by the Indian team of women brought nationwide attention, sparking demand for dedicated league events. The identity of each squad in competitive Kho Kho is closely tied to how it is named and presented visually.

Kho Kho World Cup

The instant a ‘Kho’ is made, the tagged chaser becomes the active chaser and the one who gives the ‘Kho’ becomes inactive and has to sit down in the now active chaser’s position. Over the last decade, under the patronage of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), the sport has taken a significant leap in terms of its presence both domestically and internationally. Its footprint now extends to over 680 districts across India, is played in schools all over the country, and its global presence is in more than 55 countries across all six continents. kho kho team list Addressing the question, which country will host the Kho Kho world cup, India retains its status as the founding nation and continues as the official host. The rich heritage of the country in team chase contests and recent advancements in organisational infrastructure made it an obvious choice.

Uniforms not only distinguish teams and contribute to discipline and professionalism on the court. This composition allows a team to maintain high energy levels while managing tactical substitutions. The sitting attackers and active attacker must follow strict role-switching rules. Attackers must follow strict movement rules, such as not crossing the central lane without using the poles or giving a proper kho. Defenders, in contrast, can use the entire field but must avoid stepping outside the boundary, which would result in dismissal.

Meet the Captains of the Indian Kho Kho Teams (

Cards are given out for violations like disorderly behaviour, overly aggressive tackles or for a variety of other technical fouls. The sequence repeats for another innings and the team with the most points wins, according to Kho Kho rules. Its structured version was formalised during the early 20th century by educators promoting indigenous physical education activities. These intense fixtures and standout performances reflect the high calibre of athleticism and strategy in the league. Each match is divided into two innings with shortened breaks and quicker rotations, making it suitable for live television and a new generation of viewers. The tournament is held in the national capital, offering high-end facilities and easy accessibility for international delegations and viewers.

Held in New Delhi, the event brought together the squads of 20 men and 19 women using a dynamic seven-a-side format. This version introduced powerplays, time-bound innings, and point-based scoring, presenting a modern take on the traditional chasing contest for an international audience. The 2025 edition of the Kho Kho World Cup marked a milestone for the sport, bringing together a strong lineup of national teams across continents. The tournament was held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, showcasing high-performance squads in both categories of men and women. While many teams were participating for the first time, the matches reflected competitive spirit and tactical discipline. Group stage fixtures were structured to allow balanced matchups, leading into intense knockout rounds.

In modern India, Kho Kho federation of India plays a key role in promoting the game through structured leagues and national-level programs. With growing media coverage and events like the Ultimate league, the traditional chase contest now engages a younger, tech-savvy audience. This transition reflects a balance between cultural heritage and modern sporting expectations across the country. Kho Kho information from the 2026 edition highlights its evolution into a fast-paced global tournament.

The 2025 season of international competition showcased the dominance of India in this traditional sport. Central to this success were the leadership figures who guided their squads through strategy, discipline, and motivation. Both captains of men and women played a critical role not just on the mat but in preparing their teams for global challenges. A clear understanding of team composition and individual responsibilities is crucial in any competitive format, and Kho Kho is no exception. Every role is defined by specific rules that govern movement, tagging, and strategic coordination. In official tournaments, including the World Cup and Ultimate Kho Kho league, teams follow a structured format that ensures fairness and optimal performance.

The tournament not only reflects sporting excellence and showcases the capability of India to stage a modern, internationally accessible sporting spectacle. Hosting this event reinforces the ambition of India to globalise its traditional athletic disciplines and attract worldwide viewership. The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) is dedicated to promoting and advancing the traditional sport of Kho Kho nationwide, fostering talent from the grassroots level to the professional stage. Female athletes demonstrated that they match their male counterparts in strategy, athleticism, and performance. As recognition grows, greater representation in future leagues is expected, paving the way for full inclusion in domestic and international Kho Kho circuits.

Odisha Kho Kho Association General Secretary Pradyumna Mishra Honored with Prestigious Biju Patnaik Sports Award.

Behind each successful match lies a combination of strategic thinking, coordination, and individual brilliance. The Indian Kho Kho team captain plays a central role in guiding the on-field decisions and maintaining morale of the squad. Despite initial confirmations, some teams such as Canada and Pakistan could not attend due to administrative issues. The format remained consistent with group stages, semi-finals, and a final match to determine the champion.