April 9, Mumbai: The Kho Kho World Cup 2025 made a remarkable impact at the inaugural edition of the Manifest Play Awards, held in Mumbai, by securing the Runner-Up position in the prestigious ‘Best New Sports IP’ category. The event, hosted by Manifest with Havas Play as the title sponsor, celebrated excellence in sports marketing across India.
This recognition is a proud moment for the traditional Indian sport of Kho Kho, marking its growing global footprint and evolving appeal in the modern sports industry.
The credit for this achievement goes to the collective efforts of the International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF), the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), and the entire Kho Kho ecosystem — players, coaches, officials, and fans. Special acknowledgment was extended to the sport’s key leaders:
- Mr. Sudhanshu Mittal (President – KKFI & IKKF),
- Mr. M.S. Tyagi (General Secretary – KKFI),
- Mr. Brij Haldania (Secretary – Global Development),
- Mr. Rohit Haldania (General Secretary – IKKF).
Their unwavering dedication and vision have been pivotal in elevating the game to a global stage, culminating in the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup — a groundbreaking initiative in Indian sports history.
The Manifest Play Awards recognized 16 winners and 7 runners-up across multiple categories, spotlighting innovation and excellence in sports IPs, marketing, PR, and branding. While Global Sports’ ‘Pro Pickleball League’ took the top honour in the ‘Best New Sports IP’ category, the presence of Kho Kho among such elite company underscores its powerful resurgence.
With this recognition, the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 stands as a symbol of India’s rich sporting heritage merging with modern marketing prowess. The future of Kho Kho looks brighter than ever.