After its 1936 appearance as a demonstration sport, Kho-Kho may make a smashing comeback in the 2036 Olympics
The quintessential ‘tap’ and ‘kho’ action of Kho-Kho game may soon reverberate in the hallowed grounds of the 2036 Olympics. Kho-Kho, a game with its roots traditionally entwined in the Indian ethos now seems to be reviving itself, even eying a spot at the 2036 Olympics. After a smashing success at the recently held Kho-Kho World Cup in New Delhi, the game has managed to garner interest and support from government organizations, private entities, and a significant viewership across mediums.
Union Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya has spelt out on several occasions the government's strong desire to take traditional Indian sports to the world.
Talking about the resurgence of traditional games in the nation, Dr. Mandaviya in
PIB presser says, “Traditional games showcase the resilience, community spirit and most importantly, upholds our traditional sporting value. The world has so much to learn from the richness of these traditional games."
A collective effort would be required to get Kho-Kho included in the Asian Games and the 2036 Olympics. India aims to host the 2036 Olympics and has already submitted a "Letter Of Intent" to the In-ternational Olympic Committee's Future Host Commission in January 2025.
A Rich Legacy
The origins of Kho-Kho interestingly could be traced back to ancient India. It is believed that this game of agility and flexibility originated from the holy reins of the Mahabharata. This being intertwined with Indian culture, along with its military traditions where agility, strategy and speed were at the pinnacle of survival. The word Kho has been echoing far and wide across the landscapes of India for centuries. The prominence of the game has been its simplicity, no equipment, and accessibility to everyone.
Kho-Kho was played as a “demonstration sport” at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin. It was also played during the South Asian Federation Games in 1987 in Kolkata. Kho-Kho is now finally making its long-due comeback at the global front nearly after a century.
Leaps & Strides
The popularity of Kho-Kho has reached its peak in recent years. In 2022 the franchise-
based Ultimate Kho-Kho League picked the sport from its muddy and grassy fields and placed
it on indoor mats. It had an audience across sports channels. Since then, Kho-Kho seems to have jumpstarted and taken big strides.
Pratik Waikar, Captain of the Men’s Indian Kho-Kho team shares how the game initially missed its chance at the Olympics after 1936 due to the World War and its repercussions. He says, “It’s a sport that most of us have played all through our schooling days. But we never pursued it with seriousness mainly because we didn’t see a future in it beyond a point. But that seems to have changed now.”
Pratik says, “Sports like kabaddi or Kho-Kho are games that have been given to the world by India. Its possible inclusion in the 2036 Olympics has excited everyone.”
Gone are the days of Kho-Kho being played in dusty mofussil towns and village grounds. Aniket Pote, Kho-Kho Player & Sports Executive Officer, Pune says, “There has been a noticeable rise in youth participation which is largely due to increased media coverage, government initiatives, and the excitement around international tournaments like the Kho-Kho World Cup 2025.” Ever since Kho-Kho made it to the ultimate league banner, there has been a lot of financial support and fame attached to the game. Many youth are taking the sport up professionally.
Global Expansion
Kho-Kho is definitely on its way to retaining its past glory. Despite its many strides, Kho-Kho lagged behind mainstream sports like Cricket and football because of fewer sponsorships and limited viewership for a long time. Sangram Singh, International Wrestler & Motivational Speaker says, “When any sport makes it to the Olympics it tends to become bigger and develops more engagement.” Implying that a similar fate seems to await Kho-Kho soon finally.
Sangram played Kho-Kho during his childhood days. “I honestly feel Kho-Kho has never been taken seriously as a sport,” says Sangram. He feels that when Kho-Kho gets wider media coverage, it will witness a resurgence nationally and internationally.
The inclusion of Kho-Kho in the 2036 Olympics will be a milestone for many other games that are yet to receive recognition. The central and state governments have been giving a big push to the indigenous sport. Aniket says, “The government has been investing in training camps, scholarships, and league events to professionalize the game.” However, many players feel there needs to be grassroots level development. Pratik adds to this, “It’s all about encouraging games of our maati (our soil)”
Indigenous Sports
For an indigenous sport, with limited exposure and presence, Kho-Kho is dreaming big and government bodies have only weighed in support in accelerating this belief. Mandaviya says, “We did a splendid job of organising the Kho-Kho World Cup. We need to make an effort so that these players get a chance to play at the Asian Games.
The Government’s endeavour is also to take Kho-Kho to the Olympics in 2036. For this, the players and coaches need to keep performing well, the federation has to keep managing well and the Sports Ministry will carry on supporting and helping level up the players’ performances.” Till then, all eyes will be glued to the 2036 Olympics with a loud clarion call for Kho!
Kho-Kho Kho-Kho was included as a demonstration sport at the Berlin 1936 Olympic Games and during the South Asian Federation Games in 1987.
Game Time
• Kho-Kho is a popular sport in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
• The South Asian diaspora has spread Kho-Kho to the US, UK, South Africa, Australia and China.
• Out of the 23 countries that took part in the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 in Delhi, India came on top.
It’s a sport that most of us have played all through our schooling days but never did we pursue this sport with seriousness, mainly because we didn’t see a future in it beyond a point. But that seems to have changed now”
— Pratik Waikar, Captain, Indian Kho-Kho Men’s team
Traditional games showcase resilience, and community spirit and most importantly, uphold our traditional sporting values. The world has so much to learn from the richness of these traditional games.”
— Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Sports Minister
When any sport makes it to the Olympics it tends to become bigger and develops more engagement.”
— Sangram Singh, International Wrestler & Motivational Speaker
Kho Kho despite its many strides and leaps lacked behind mainstream sports like Cricket and football because of less sponsorships along with limited viewership for a long time”
— Aniket Pote, Kho Kho Player & Sports Executive Officer, Pune
