Want to take Kho Kho to 2030 Asian Games, 2032 Olympics: KKFI chief Sudhanshu Mittal

It may come as a surprise that the humble, rural game of Kho Kho that was the pastime of many a people in the pre-mobile and pre-social media days has spread to 55 countries, and 24 of these will be participating at the inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup that gets underway in national capital’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from January 13. The tournament concludes in January 19.

It will be held in both the men’s and women’s categories. While 24 men’s teams will participate in the tournament, there will be 18 teams in the women’s category.

Ahead of the event, the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) President Sudhanshu Mittal took time out from the ongoing preparations to speak to www.thedelhijuntion.com in an interview.

Q. How are the preparations for the Kho Kho World Cup?

A. They are in full swing, the excitement is building up. January 13 is going to be a landmark day for Kho Kho’s history because that is the day when the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup will begin. The opening ceremony will be spectacular. The number of countries which are participating is something to reckon with. All the continents are being represented. United States, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Germany, Holland, Poland, England, New Zealand, Australia, Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, Iran, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka… they all will participate. The greatest accomplishment we have is that the natives of these countries are playing Kho Kho.

The sterling Kho Kho World Cup Trophy

Q. How did it develop in other countries?

A. Sheer hard work on part of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI). We sent coaches there, we established contacts there. We created organisations there. We have been able to get the people of these countries interested in the game. It is a likeable game because it demands agility, speed, stamina, strategy; every element which is required to make a modern game interesting, it has all those elements in it.

Q. Will the World Cup be a shot in the arm for the sport?

A. It has given wings to our flight. The aspiration is to take it to Olympics in 2032 and Asian Games in 2030. Today we are in 55 countries and by the end of the next year, we will be in 90 countries. That is the kind of spread this game is going to achieve. It is a dream for us to see this in Asian Games or Olympics.

THE STAKEHOLDERS: Players, coaches and officials at the trophy launch

Q. You said Pakistan will also participate. What is the status of their participation?

A. As of now, they have applied for the visa. We are waiting for the decision by the government.

The Mascots of the Kho Kho World Cup with the trophy

Tags : Kho Kho World Cup, New Delhi, Sudhanshu Mittal, United States, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Australia, Korea