India emerged as the winner for both men's and women's editions in the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup at Indrira Gandhi International Stadium, New Delhi. The teams emerged victorious among 23 countries participating in the tournament. The Indian women's team emerged champion in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup with a dominant 78-40 victory in the summit clash against Nepal on Sunday. Skipper Priyanka Ingle was in the best form, leaving no room for error.
The men's side won 54-36 against Nepal, led by Pratik Waikar and tournament standout Ramji Kashyap leading from the front. Nepal fought hard in Turn 4 in their bid to come back against India. But the defenders, once again led by Pratik Waikar and Sachin Bhargo proved too strong. Mehul and Suman Barman were equally impressive.
Beginning of a new kho kho era
Speaking to Asianet Newsable, champion Priyanka Ingle remarked, "I am feeling so happy that everyone supported us. Today, we had our final match with Nepal, which we managed to win. In the first inning, we felt a little pressure but once we gauged their strategy, we were able to score points in the chasing. This win means a lot to us."
The Maharashtra native shared her background, coming from a humble family to making history on the world stage. "From the ground, I saw my parents in the gallery. They beamed with pride as they saw their daughter representing India... I am also so happy to see many people from Maharashtra come here and support us. I saw some people in the audience with a banner to cheer for me. I am very proud of this achievement."
The success of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 marks a significant milestone in the sport’s history, bringing international attention to one of India’s oldest traditional games. The event’s success is expected to inspire countless young athletes across the nation to pursue Kho Kho, contributing to its growth and popularity in the years to come.
The success is gradual, but it is evident. Sony Pictures Network India invested Rs 200 crore ($23 million) over five years to broadcast the Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) league. UKK has become the first sports league in India to secure a private equity investment.
"Our ultimate goal is to see Kho Kho recognised as an Olympic sport by 2032 and this World Cup is the first step towards that dream," said Kho Kho Federation of India president Sudhanshu Mittal, when it was announced that India would host the very first edition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate the winners.