Mansukh Mandaviya

Mansukh Mandaviya Pushes for Kho Kho’s Inclusion in Asian Games, 2036 Olympics

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has pitched for the inclusion of kho kho in the Asian Games and the 2036 Olympics, highlighting the government’s commitment to promoting traditional Indian sports on the global stage. Speaking at a felicitation ceremony for the victorious Indian men’s and women’s kho kho teams, Mandaviya emphasized the need for collective efforts from players, coaches, federations, and the government to achieve this ambitious goal.

“We did a splendid job of organizing the Kho Kho World Cup, and we need to make an effort to ensure our players get a chance to play at the Asian Games,” Mandaviya said. He also noted, “The government’s endeavor is to take kho kho to the Olympics in 2036. For this, players and coaches must keep performing well, the federation must manage effectively, and the Sports Ministry will continue supporting efforts to enhance player performance.”

The ceremony celebrated India’s double victory at the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, held on January 19, 2025, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium. Both the Indian men’s and women’s teams clinched titles by defeating Nepal in the finals.

The Indian women’s team chief coach, Sumit Bhatia, credited the team’s success to a rigorous month-long camp held in December 2024, which brought together players from across the country. “We started with 60 players and identified the best 15 each for the men’s and women’s teams. The camp helped forge team chemistry,” Bhatia said.

Mandaviya also reiterated India’s ambition to host the 2036 Olympics, revealing that the government had submitted a ‘Letter of Intent’ to the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission. If successful, kho kho will be among six sports India plans to recommend for inclusion, alongside Twenty20 cricket, kabaddi, chess, and squash.

Highlighting the resurgence of traditional sports, Mandaviya stated, “Traditional games showcase resilience, community spirit, and uphold our rich sporting values. Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized giving traditional sports the best exposure. Our teams are now excelling on global platforms.”

The event was attended by the players, coaches, and officials, including Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India. The success of the Indian kho kho teams and the government’s focus on traditional sports signal a promising future for India’s indigenous games on the world stage.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top