On this landmark occasion of his birthday, we celebrate Mr. Sudhanshu Mittal, whose leadership as President of both the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) and the International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF) has ushered in a new era for the sport. What follows is a look at his journey, milestones, and vision for Kho Kho’s future.
Early Passion, Bold Vision
Sudhanshu Mittal, known in political and administrative circles, took up the ambitious mission of not merely preserving Kho Kho—an indigenous sport deeply rooted in Indian culture—but transforming it into a globally recognized competitive sport. He chose this path at a time when many indigenous sports faced fading popularity and scant international exposure.
He has also served in politics (BJP) and been in roles like Delhi University Students’ Union President, which gave him exposure in leadership from diverse spheres
Transformative Milestones Under His Leadership
The Inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025
One of the standout achievements under Mr. Mittal’s presidency has been the successful conduct of the very first Kho Kho World Cup in January 2025.
- Scope and scale: 23 nations from six continents participated with both men’s and women’s teams. Wikipedia+1
- High viewership: The tournament had a massive digital and broadcast reach. In federation sources, the cumulative views crossed 460 million.
- Historic result: India won in both men’s and women’s categories, defeating Nepal in both finals.
Domestic Expansion & League Development
- Ultimate Kho Kho: The league launched in 2022 has rapidly increased engagement, especially among younger audiences, with strong TV and streaming viewership (the second season crossed 21 million viewers).
- Wider geographic footprint: Kho Kho is now played in over 680 districts in India, and has a presence in more than 55 countries across all six continents.
Governance & Re-election: Steering Forward
In July 2025, Mr. Mittal was re-elected unopposed as President of KKFI for the 2025–2029 term. The new governing body includes representatives from across India, and Upkar Singh Virk has been appointed General Secretary.
He has emphasized goals such as:
- Getting Kho Kho included in major multi-sport events like the Asian Games (2030) and Olympics (2032).
- Expanding the sport’s base—domestically and internationally—and improving institutional governance.
Cultural Integration & Growing Appeal
Mr. Mittal has also spearheaded initiatives that blend culture and sport:
- During the 2025 World Cup, he honored Indian artists whose works were displayed at the venue, adding a cultural dimension to the sporting spectacle.
- He has made Kho Kho more accessible through school outreach programs, district-level expansion, and leveraging media and digital platforms.
Vision for Tomorrow: What Lies Ahead
Mr. Mittal’s aspirations for Kho Kho go well beyond tournaments and leagues. Some of his stated goals and ongoing efforts:
- Olympic inclusion: Placement in future editions of the Asian Games and inclusion in the 2032 Olympics are targets.
- Broader international penetration: He has expressed a plan to increase participating countries significantly and make international competition more regular.
- Youth and grassroots focus: Expanding school-level participation, talent identification, coaching infrastructure to support players from a young age.
Salute to a Leader: Birthday Reflections
On his birthday, the achievements of Mr. Sudhanshu Mittal show more than just administrative success—they are a blueprint for how tradition can evolve, how sports deeply embedded in cultural heritage can find a global stage.
His leadership has:
- Restored visibility and respect to Kho Kho not only in India, but internationally.
- Given thousands of players new opportunities: competitive, financial, and aspirational.
- Enriched the sport with culture, inclusivity, innovation, and vision.
Wishing the Torchbearer Well
As Sudhanshu Mittal continues his journey, we celebrate not just another year of his life, but another year of milestones achieved and challenges embraced. May the coming years bring further laurels—Olympic recognition, widespread adoption, and continued inspiration for the youth.
Happy Birthday, Mr. Sudhanshu Mittal Sir— may Kho Kho’s global renaissance continue under your guiding light.
By Prince Raj,
Founder & CEO– KHO KHO CHAMPIONS ™️