Kho kho
Ancient Indian tag sport with modern global reach.
Kho kho is a traditional Indian tag sport dating to ancient India, one of the most popular traditional tag games in the Indian subcontinent after kabaddi. It is played on a rectangular court with a central lane connecting two poles, where nine chasing-team players (eight sitting in the lane) pursue three defending runners. The sport is widely played across South Asia and among the South Asian diaspora, with a competitive structure including franchise leagues and a World Cup.
- origin
- Ancient India (at least 4th century BC)
- field
- Rectangular court, 27 m × 16 m, with central lane 30 cm wide
- governing_body
- International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF)
- formats
- Standard test format; seven-a-side fast format
- major_events
- South Asian Games (since 2016), Khelo India, National Games of India, Ultimate Kho Kho (franchise league, 2022), Kho Kho World Cup (2025)
- notable_date
- June 30 celebrated as International Kho Kho Day
Lore & Background
Kho kho has been played since at least the fourth century BC, with certain aspects possibly mentioned in the Mahabharata. In pre-modern times, a version known as Rathera was played on chariots (ratha meaning 'chariot' in Sanskrit), and the game was also called 'Kho Dhwani Krida', translating as 'a game where the sound kho is made'. The name itself comes from Marathi खोखो (khō-khō), an onomatopoeia of the sound invoked while playing.
Reader's Guide
The modern form of kho kho was standardised in 1914 by Pune's Deccan Gymkhana club, with the first rule book written by Bal Gangadhar Tilak. It was demonstrated at the 1936 Berlin Olympics alongside other traditional Indian games. The sport is now a medal event in the South Asian Games (first played in 2016) and has been accepted into major Indian sports events such as Khelo India and the National Games of India. The first franchise league, Ultimate Kho Kho, was unveiled in India in August 2022, and the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup was held in 2025, hosted and won by India. The International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF) administers the sport globally and aims to expand it to over 90 countries for Olympic inclusion. Kho kho has also spread overseas to the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Australia (where a ground with removable poles was inaugurated in 2025). The game has evolved from muddy surfaces to matted professional courts, and a shortened format was invented in the early 21st century to increase spectator appeal.
Did You Know?
- The word 'kho' is an onomatopoeia of the sound invoked while playing the game.
- A pre-modern version of kho kho called Rathera was played on chariots.
- The first rule book of kho kho was written by Bal Gangadhar Tilak.
- The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup was held in 2025, with India as host and winner.
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