In a moment filled with pride and emotion, 27-year-old Kho Kho star Gowtham MK stood on stage receiving the prestigious Karnataka Kreeda Ratna Award from Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. As the applause echoed, a decade and a half of struggles and sacrifices flashed before his eyes.
“As I accepted the award, I couldn’t help but think of the mere ₹10 pocket money my father used to give me once every week,” Gowtham reflected, recalling his humble beginnings.
Raised in a modest household, Gowtham’s father, Kapani Gowda, worked tirelessly as an auto-rickshaw driver to support his family. Despite limited resources, he dreamt of enrolling Gowtham in a private convent school, believing English education would shape his son’s future. Destiny, however, led Gowtham down a different path. His primary school PT teacher, Mahadesh, recognized his athletic spark early and convinced the family to let him pursue sports.
Though relatives and neighbours discouraged him, Gowtham’s commitment to Kho Kho never wavered. His turning point came after the 8th standard when Young Pioneers Sports Club took him under its wing, supporting both his education and training. From then on, there was no looking back.
Today, Gowtham boasts an impressive record—over 20 national-level tournaments across sub-junior, junior, and senior categories, and gold medals for India in both the 4th Asian Kho Kho Championship and the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi. His exceptional performance in the India–Nepal Test Series (2018) helped him secure a central government job with the Postal Department.
With pride in his voice, Gowtham shared,
“I told my father there is no need to look back anymore. He no longer has to drive the auto-rickshaw. His son is now capable of taking care of the entire family.”
Chaithra B.: Another Beacon of Hope from Rural Karnataka
Around 150 km from Bengaluru, in the quiet village of Kuruburu, 22-year-old Chaithra B. returned home with the same honour— the Karnataka Kreeda Ratna Award. Her journey is a testament to the dreams and determination of girls from rural India.
Coming from a farming family, Chaithra’s life took a tragic turn in 2014 when her father survived a venomous snakebite that required five surgeries, worsened by diabetes.
“I thought of quitting Kho Kho to help in the fields,” Chaithra recalled. “But I promised myself and my father that I would work hard to make a difference for our family and village.”
Her resolve transformed her future. With more than two dozen national championships to her name and a standout performance in the first Kho Kho World Cup, where she bagged the Best Player of the Match, Chaithra has become an icon for aspiring athletes. Currently in her second year of B.P.Ed, she aims to secure a government job through the sports quota.
A Sport Changing Lives Across India
Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), highlighted the sport’s rising impact:
“Over 3,500 Kho Kho athletes have secured government jobs across various departments through the sports quota. Watching athletes transform their lives gives me immense satisfaction. Kho Kho has evolved into a modern, competitive sport, and more youth now see it as a promising career.”
On Monday, the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Government of Karnataka, presented awards for 2022 and 2023—30 Ekalavya Awards, 9 Kreeda Ratna Awards, and 9 Lifetime Achievement Awards. The Karnataka Kreeda Ratna includes a cash prize of ₹2 lakh and a citation, honouring excellence and dedication in sports.
A New Chapter for Kho Kho Champions
The stories of Gowtham MK and Chaithra B. shine as powerful reminders of what resilience, talent, and opportunity can achieve. From small villages to global podiums, their journeys are inspiring millions and redefining the future of Kho Kho in India.
Two champions, two extraordinary stories—one message:
Dreams built on grit and belief always rise.