India Clinches Double Victory in Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup

India Clinches Double Victory in Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup

In a historic moment for Indian sports, the national men’s and women’s Kho Kho teams triumphed in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup by defeating Nepal in the finals at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi, on January 19.

The Indian women’s team secured a convincing victory with a score of 78-40, while the men’s team won with a score of 54-36, marking a proud moment for the nation in this indigenous sport.

Odisha’s Sports Minister, Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, attended the final matches and congratulated the players for their remarkable performance. Speaking on the occasion, he said, “Kho Kho is our indigenous sport, and this historic victory fills us with pride. Odisha is proud to sponsor the Indian National Kho Kho Teams, reaffirming our commitment to supporting their growth and inspiring young athletes across the nation.”

The Odisha government has pledged ₹5 crore annually as sponsorship for the Indian National Kho Kho Teams from January 2025 to December 2027, amounting to a total of ₹15 crore over three years. This sponsorship underscores the state’s dedication to promoting Kho Kho and nurturing players for global success.

Odisha players Magai Majhi and Subhashree Singh represented India in the women’s team, while Pabani Sabar was part of the men’s team, contributing to the historic win.

Held from January 13 to 19 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup has set a new benchmark for the sport. This landmark victory is expected to inspire millions of young athletes across India to embrace Kho Kho and pursue excellence in sports.