Kho-Kho-Aims

Kho-Kho’s Journey From Berlin to 2036: Kho-Kho Surges Globally, Winning World Cup and Paving Path to 2036 Olympics with Global Support

 

Kho-Kho, a game with its roots in India dating back hundreds of years, is now vying for an Olympic spot at the 2036 Olympics. It is 100 years since Kho-Kho first appeared as a demonstration sport at the Berlin Olympics in 1936.

The sport is gaining momentum as the first Kho-Kho World Cup was held recently in New Delhi. This has also brought support from the government bodies and state governments, as well as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

India's dream of hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics has long been interwoven with its development. So far, it has only campaigned for the participation of Kho-Kho in the Asian Games, leading it toward greater glory to win an Olympic chance. It aims for Kho-Kho to participate in the 2036 Olympics; there is every effort to make that possible.

 

Major Step in Developing Kho-Kho

 

New Delhi played host to the very first World Cup, which saw an exponential increase in fan base across and within the boundaries of India. The States have taken on sponsors like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha. The actors Salman Khan and Tiger Shroff also became their brands for having this broad fan following.

The most prominent highlights were when the Indian women's and men's teams won the World Cup titles. The women’s team won over Nepal by 78-40, and the men’s team won by 54-36.

 

Expansion of Kho-Kho Globally

 

For Kho-Kho to make it to the Olympics, the game must cover more international areas. It has surged from six member countries in 2020 to 55 by 2025. Currently, the IKKF is pursuing 90-country participation, which will reach the requirement of 75 countries being considered for an Olympics.

Also, the campaign for the Olympic bid in 2036 will gain momentum as more countries will be exposed to Kho-Kho in the World Cup.

 

The Role of RSS and Government Support

 

Since this sport is deeply rooted in India, its front-runners at getting it recognised worldwide are some of the major organizations like RSS that will perceive it as bringing India's Indigenous games onto the world level.

Indian government officials, including Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, have also been urging for the inclusion of Kho-Kho in the Asian Games. "Globalization of Kho-Kho is the way to get into the Olympics," said Mittal, president of both IKKF and Kho-Kho Federation of India (KKFI).

The story of Kho-Kho's quest for the 2036 Olympics goes beyond sport and symbolizes the Indian ambition to bring its culture onto the global stage.

With the support of its major sponsors, international interest building, and potential global reach, Kho-Kho is again set to create history, but this time on the world's greatest platform.