But the defenders, once again led by Pratik Waikar and Sachin Bhargo proved too strong. Attacking first, an exceptional sky dive by Ramji Kashyap got Nepal’s Suraj Pujara. Suyash Gargate then touched Bharat Sahu to give India a great start with 10 points in just four minutes. The Opening Ceremony of the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 will take place on January 13, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, followed by the opening match between India and Nepal. Official measurements, history, rules, and tournaments — all in one place.

• The SAF Games remain important for developing competitive Kho Kho outside India, particularly in Nepal where the sport is growing rapidly.
• The Kho Kho World Cup 2025 is set to mark a historic milestone in the global journey of India indigenous sport.
• All match outcomes, scores, and standings can be found in the official points table and results summary of the 2025 global tournament hosted in New Delhi.
• The recognition of Nasreen as the best performer of the final underscored the importance of individual brilliance in team success.
• This is the format played at national championships, Asian Championships, and the World Cup.
• The tournament demonstrated how closely contested fixtures and tactical precision can captivate audiences, raising interest beyond traditional strongholds.

Both finals, in male and female categories, displayed high-energy performances, expert-level tactics, and athletic discipline. With capacity crowds and global spectators watching closely, the final round served as a statement of authority and progress for the home squads. This performance not only confirmed a clean sweep of all fixtures and reinforced the depth and consistency of local talent. Each knockout round was marked by large scoring margins, highlighting the dominance of the hosts in both offense and defence.

Numbers that define the sport

The inaugural season attracted 64 million viewers, making it India’s third-most watched non-cricket sports league behind only Pro Kabaddi and the ISL. TheInternational Kho Kho Federation (IKKF) was formally affiliated with the KKFI in 2018 and has since grown membership from 6 countries in 2020 to over 55 by 2025. While both units achieved identical success, the performance metrics reveal slightly higher scoring outputs in the female category. Each unit faced Nepal in the final round, establishing a shared continental rivalry that added further significance to the event.

• Both final fixtures represented more than just matches—they reflected years of development, national commitment, and a growing global interest in this traditional discipline.
• Matches took place at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, offering an elite indoor setting for a fast-paced format.
• The last day of the tournament concluded with clear scorelines in both brackets.
• Throughout the championship, high-intensity action and strategic brilliance defined the matches.
• The game, which features two teams of nine players each, is known for its fast-paced action and demands quick reflexes.
• The Commonwealth Kho Kho Championship is scheduled for 2026, with the sport targeting inclusion in the 2030 Commonwealth Games.

The final stage of the 2025 global tournament delivered high-tempo action, strategic depth, and standout moments from both brackets. Played at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, the concluding matches featured the host nation and Nepal across both divisions. Each encounter unfolded with intensity and showcased the evolution of the sport at an international level.

Quick tagging, efficient chasing, and structured rotation created continuous pressure, forcing errors and disrupting the rhythm of the Nepali squads. The Indian men’s team beat Nepal in the final to win the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup title in New Delhi on Sunday (January 19, 2025). The team that wins the final will become the first-ever Kho Kho world champions. Kho Kho has featured in the South Asian Games, which helped establish the Asian Kho Kho Federation in 1987.

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The Indian men’s team will open their campaign in the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 on January 13 against Nepal , followed by their match against Brazil on January 14. If they qualify, the quarter-finals will take place on January 17, starting, followed by the semi-finals on January 18. The first-ever Kho Kho World Cup is set to begin on January 13, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi. This tournament is a historic moment for the sport, as Kho Kho, which has its roots in India, will take center stage on a global platform.

India were in their stride in Turn 3, displaying unwavering confidence throughout. Captain Pratik Waikar shone on the mat with multiple sky dives, and with the support of Ramji Kashyap, another star of the tournament. In Turn 2, Nepal were not able to match India’s levels but did prevent the home side from going on a single Dream Run. Sky dives were the name of the game for the Men in Blue, and this ensured a bright start for the side in Turn 1, preventing the Dream Run for their opponents. At the end of the turn, the scoreline was 26-0 in favour of the Indians.

The SAF Games remain important for developing competitive Kho Kho outside India, particularly in Nepal international kho kho tournament where the sport is growing rapidly. The field is 29 m long and 16 m wide with a central lane 23.5 m long running lengthwise. The entire match happens on this one compact rectangle — intensity is constant.

In each turn the chasing side gets exactly 9 minutes to tag as many defenders as possible. The defending side can score bonus points by surviving long enough (“Dream Runs” in UKK format). The active chaser can only run in one direction — they cannot turn back.

Kho Kho on GameOnField

The male final was close in the early phase, but the second half showed a shift in pace and control. In the female final, early dominance translated into a wide scoring margin by the end. The final round of the 2025 international championship marked a defining moment in the history of the sport. Both divisions delivered perfect records across all rounds, with disciplined execution and standout individual efforts. The tactical choices, including effective chasing sequences and strong defence formations, allowed each squad to close matches confidently. The tournament maintained a format where top four squads from each group qualified for the quarter-finals, followed by semi-finals and the final.

Every sequence on the mat carried weight, as spectators witnessed a strong tactical display and physical endurance from both sides. Kho Kho is currently played in 54 countries, which shows the sport’s growing popularity outside India. The World Cup will give international audiences a chance to experience this exciting sport. Fans in India can watch the live television broadcast of all Kho Kho World Cup 2025 matches on Star Sports Network and DD Sports. In addition, Disney+ Hotstar app and website will livestream the matches for digital users. The Kho Kho World Cup 2025’s group stages will be played in a round-robin format.

How many teams will participate in the Men’s Kho Kho World Cup 2025?

Organised annually by KKFI for men, women, sub-junior, junior, and senior categories. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha are historically the strongest state teams. The 35th Sub-Junior Championship was held in Kurukshetra, Haryana in 2026.

Kho Kho World Cup Scheduled for 2025 in India

The Kho Kho World Cup final results concluded with two decisive victories, reinforcing full control by the host country on the international stage. Both home squads maintained complete dominance from start to finish, topping their respective groups and moving undefeated through knockout rounds. The fixtures displayed a superior command of strategy and precision in execution. The line-ups showcased strong formations and swift transitions, essential in a discipline where speed and anticipation define success. The Kho Kho World Cup results reflect the growing international appeal of this traditional discipline. This article presents verified outcomes, including final scores, point tables, and key matches that shaped the overall standings of the tournament.

Each chase was calculated, and defence was organized with clear communication. The coaching units behind both sides contributed significantly to the tactical execution witnessed on the mat. The preparation paid off, especially in the closing phases where control over pace and movement proved vital. Kho Kho is a traditional Indian sport, and this World Cup will put it on the global map. The event will show how Kho Kho has evolved from being played on dirt fields to modern sports mats, while still keeping its cultural roots intact.

The tournament will feature exciting matches in both Men’s and Women’s categories, ensuring action-packed days for all fans. The advancement of Nepal to both finals signals the emergence of new challengers, adding depth to the international field. Their performance will likely motivate other nations to invest in infrastructure, coaching, and grassroots initiatives. The tournament demonstrated how closely contested fixtures and tactical precision can captivate audiences, raising interest beyond traditional strongholds. Both final fixtures represented more than just matches—they reflected years of development, national commitment, and a growing global interest in this traditional discipline. The hosts ensured a perfect closure to the championship with victories in both finals.