New Delhi, June 4, 2026: In a significant development for Indian Kho Kho, the Delhi High Court has dismissed LPA 305/2026 filed by the Uttar Pradesh Kho Kho Association and upheld the earlier judgment in favor of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI).
The Division Bench, in its order dated June 4, 2026, comprehensively endorsed the stand taken by KKFI, reinforcing the principles of transparency, good governance, and adherence to the National Sports Code.
The Court held that the National Sports Development Code of India applies to State Sports Associations, clarifying that this position is not a new interpretation but merely a reiteration of the existing legal framework.
In a major finding, the Court observed that the elections conducted on October 27, 2021, were fundamentally flawed from their inception as they were based on a non-existent order that had been falsely attributed to the High Court of Orissa.
The judgment further noted that six office bearers, including the Chairman, were ineligible under the Sports Code. The Court also held that the post of Chairman itself is impermissible under the governing regulations.
Rejecting the arguments of estoppel and finality raised by the appellants, the Division Bench found them contrary to the factual record and dismissed the appeal in its entirety. No order as to costs was passed.
The ruling marks a decisive victory for the Kho Kho Federation of India and is being viewed as a landmark moment for the sport’s governance structure. The judgment strengthens the framework of accountability, transparency, and compliance with the National Sports Code, setting an important precedent for sports administration across the country.
With the appeal dismissed in full, KKFI has described the outcome as a “clean and complete victory” for the federation and for the future of Indian Kho Kho.