India made history by winning both the men's and women's titles at the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025. But did you know that Kho Kho is one of India’s oldest sports?

Earlier forms of ‘Kho Kho’ were believed to be played by warriors to build agility, speed, and understand strategy and teamwork.

It also finds mention in the Mahabharata as ‘Kho Dhwani Krida’, as per some experts.

The word ‘Kho Kho’ is thought to come from the Sanskrit word meaning ‘go’ or Marathi for ‘chase’ and the modern game involves two teams, one chasing the other in an intense contest of speed.

Traditionally played on rough terrain without special equipment, the first rulebook for the sport was formalised by Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bhai Nerurkar at the Deccan Gymkhana in Pune, in 1914.

In 1936, Kho Kho debuted as a demonstration sport at the Berlin Olympics, but had not gained enough support to be included as an official sport in the Summer Games.

In 1955, the Kho Kho Federation of India was established in Odisha, expanding the game’s reach.

In 1982, Kho Kho made its way to the Asian Games in New Delhi and in 1987, it entered the International arena at the 3rd South Asian Federation Games in Kolkata.

In 2018, the International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF) was formed to promote the sport worldwide. This provided better coordination and support for international competitions.

In 2022, the Ultimate Kho Kho League was launched with significant backing from corporate giants. This professional league brought Kho Kho into the modern sports entertainment world. Six teams competed in the inaugural season, further increasing the sport’s global visibility.

The 2025 Kho Kho World Cup marked a historic moment in Indian sports, with 23 nations from six continents participating. The tournament featured 20 men's teams and 19 women's teams, showcasing the global appeal of Kho Kho.