Union Minister Felicitates Indian Kho Kho Teams for Historic World Cup Victories

New Delhi: In a proud moment for India, the Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, felicitated the Indian men’s and women’s Kho Kho teams for their historic victories in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup. The felicitation ceremony took place in New Delhi following their triumphs over Nepal in the finals held on January 19 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

The event was attended by the full squad of both teams, their coaches, Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), and officials from the Ministry and the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Dr. Mandaviya praised the teams for their resilience and underscored the significance of traditional games in India’s cultural and sporting heritage. “Traditional games showcase resilience, community spirit, and uphold our sporting values. The world has much to learn from their richness,” he remarked.

Acknowledging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of promoting traditional sports, the Minister emphasized the importance of giving them greater exposure. “Our players are not only gaining exposure but are achieving remarkable success. This reflects the spirit of our athletes and the depth of traditional skills in India,” he added.

Looking ahead, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the Government’s aspirations for traditional sports on the global stage. With India bidding to host the 2036 Olympics, he expressed hope that Kho Kho would find its place in the Games. “Our next focus is the 2026 Asian Games. To achieve this, players, coaches, federations, and the Ministry must continue their collaborative efforts,” he said.

The Indian teams’ victories at the World Cup, which featured participation from 23 countries, have been attributed to meticulous preparation during a month-long training camp at the SAI JLN Stadium. Chief coach of the women’s team, Sumit Bhatia, detailed the rigorous selection process and scientific approach adopted during the camp.

“From an initial pool of 60 players, we selected the best 15 each for the men’s and women’s teams. This camp, comprising players from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, fostered team chemistry and provided them with advanced sports science testing, optimal diets, and top-notch lodging facilities,” Bhatia explained.

With eyes set on the next Kho Kho World Cup in England four years from now, Bhatia vowed to keep India’s flag flying high. “This is just the beginning. We are determined to retain our dominance and aim for the podium in the upcoming edition,” he said.