New Delhi: In a major and favourable development for Indian Kho Kho, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has reaffirmed the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) as the recognised National Sports Federation (NSF) for Kho Kho and confirmed the renewal of its annual recognition for 2026.

The order has been issued in compliance with the directions of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court dated 13 March 2026, bringing significant clarity to the ongoing issue surrounding the recognition and governance of Kho Kho in India.

The Ministry has made its position clear: KKFI continues to be the recognised National Sports Federation for Kho Kho.

At the same time, the Ministry has clarified that Kho Kho India’s (KKI) separate claim for recognition has not been adjudicated in the present proceedings, and no recognition has been granted to it through this order.

The decision marks an important moment for KKFI and the wider Kho Kho fraternity.

KKFI’s Recognition Officially Reaffirmed

The most significant aspect of the Ministry’s order is the express reaffirmation of KKFI’s status.

The Ministry has recorded that the Kho Kho Federation of India is the National Sports Federation recognised by the Ministry for the sport of Kho Kho. It has further confirmed that KKFI’s annual recognition has been renewed for the year 2026.

This means that the Government-recognised status of KKFI as the National Sports Federation for Kho Kho stands reaffirmed.

The order provides an important administrative clarification at a time when the sport continues to grow rapidly across India and internationally. For athletes, coaches, technical officials, state associations and the entire Kho Kho ecosystem, the recognition of the governing federation is a matter of significant institutional importance.

KKI Has Not Been Granted Recognition

The Ministry’s order also makes an equally important clarification regarding Kho Kho India (KKI).

KKI’s request or claim seeking recognition as the National Sports Federation for Kho Kho has not been adjudicated in these proceedings.

The Ministry has expressly stated that no opinion is being expressed on KKI’s separate recognition claim.

Therefore, there is a clear distinction between the two positions emerging from the order:

• KKFI’s recognition as the National Sports Federation has been expressly reaffirmed and renewed for 2026.
• KKI has not been granted recognition through the present order, and its separate claim has not been decided on merits.

The Ministry confined its consideration to the specific matter placed before it pursuant to the directions of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court.

“One Sport, One Federation” Principle Reaffirmed

The Ministry has also relied upon the important principle of “One Sport, One Federation.”

The order records the position that only one National Sports Federation is recognised for each sporting discipline, with such recognition being granted by the Government.

This principle is fundamental to the structure of sports governance, ensuring clarity regarding the officially recognised national body responsible for a particular discipline.

In the case of Kho Kho, the Ministry has expressly recorded KKFI as the recognised National Sports Federation, with its recognition renewed for 2026.

Ministry Takes Note of KKFI’s Grievance

The order further records the concerns raised by KKFI regarding the alleged use of terms such as “India” and “National” by KKI.

KKFI had raised concerns regarding KKI allegedly representing itself as the National Sports Federation and using “India” in its name and communications.

The Ministry has acknowledged these representations and recognised the legal framework applicable to such concerns.

This is particularly significant because the use of expressions that suggest official national representation can have serious implications within the statutory sports governance framework.

Section 27 of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 Recognised

A key legal aspect of the order is the specific recognition of Section 27 of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

The provision regulates issues concerning the use of expressions such as “India”, “Indian” and “National”, along with matters relating to representation of India and States in sporting events.

The Ministry’s reference to Section 27 is therefore an important development. It establishes that the concerns raised regarding the use of such expressions fall within a specific statutory framework created under the National Sports Governance Act, 2025.

Action Under Section 27 Deferred Until Constitution of National Sports Board

While recognising the relevance of Section 27, the Ministry has stated that the National Sports Board is still being constituted.

Accordingly, the Ministry has deferred any action that may be required under Section 27.

The order states that any such action, if required, will be taken in accordance with the provisions of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 after the constitution of the National Sports Board.

This means that the issue has not been closed or ignored. Rather, the Ministry has indicated that any necessary action will be considered through the statutory mechanism once the relevant institutional body is constituted.

Delhi High Court Direction Limited to KKFI’s Representations

Another crucial aspect of the order concerns the scope of the proceedings.

The Ministry has expressly stated that the directions of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court dated 13 March 2026 were limited to the consideration of representations submitted by KKFI on 15 January 2026 and 20 January 2026.

The Ministry was therefore required to consider and decide those specific representations.

KKI’s separate application seeking recognition was not within the scope of the representations covered by the High Court’s direction.

For this reason, the Ministry has clarified that KKI’s recognition claim was outside the scope of the present proceedings and that no opinion was being expressed on it.

This clarification is vital in understanding the order correctly.

A Favourable Order for KKFI

Taken as a whole, the Ministry’s order is a significant and favourable development for KKFI.

The order:

• Expressly reaffirms KKFI as the recognised National Sports Federation for Kho Kho.
• Confirms the renewal of KKFI’s recognition for 2026.
• Records the Government’s “One Sport, One Federation” principle.
• Does not grant recognition to KKI.
• Leaves KKI’s separate recognition claim undecided rather than recognising it.
• Acknowledges KKFI’s grievance regarding alleged use of “India” and “National”.
• Recognises Section 27 of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 as relevant to the issue.
• Keeps the question of appropriate action under Section 27 open for consideration after the constitution of the National Sports Board.

What Does This Mean for Indian Kho Kho?

The order brings significant clarity to the present administrative position of Kho Kho.

For 2026, KKFI’s recognition stands renewed and reaffirmed by the Ministry.

This provides a clear institutional position for the sport under the Government’s recognised National Sports Federation framework.

As Kho Kho continues its journey of growth, professional development and increasing international prominence, clarity in sports governance remains crucial.

A recognised National Sports Federation plays a central role in providing institutional direction and representing the sport within the applicable Government framework.

The Ministry’s order has now reaffirmed KKFI’s position in that framework.

The Clear Position Emerging From the Order

The legal and administrative position emerging from the Ministry’s order can be summarised clearly:

KKFI

Recognised National Sports Federation for Kho Kho.
Recognition expressly reaffirmed.
Annual recognition renewed for 2026.

KKI

No recognition granted through this order.
Separate recognition claim not adjudicated in these proceedings.
Ministry has expressed no opinion on the merits of that separate claim.

Section 27

Specifically recognised as relevant to the use of “India”, “Indian” and “National” and matters concerning sports representation.
Any required action deferred until the constitution of the National Sports Board and to be taken in accordance with the Act.

JUSTICE UPHELD. RECOGNITION REAFFIRMED.

The Ministry’s order represents a major moment of clarity for the governance of Kho Kho in India.

Following the directions of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court, the Ministry has considered the representations placed before it and has expressly reaffirmed the position of the Kho Kho Federation of India as the recognised National Sports Federation for Kho Kho.

With KKFI’s annual recognition also renewed for 2026, the present position is clear and officially recorded.

The order does not grant recognition to KKI, and its separate claim for recognition remains outside the scope of the present adjudication.

For KKFI and the entire Kho Kho fraternity, the message emerging from the order is significant:

JUSTICE UPHELD. RECOGNITION REAFFIRMED.

KKFI continues as the recognised National Sports Federation for Kho Kho, with its recognition renewed for 2026.