Delhi is all set to host 56th Senior National Kho Kho championship 2023-24 from March 27

The KKFI is intends to host Kho Kho World Cup this year with an aim to secure the inclusion of Kho Kho in the Asian Games and Olympics in the coming years.

Rakesh Thapliyal 

New Delhi: Delhi will host 56th Senior National Kho Kho championship Men and Women 2023-24 from March 27 to April 1, 2024.

Shri Sudhanshu Mittal, President, Kho Kho Federation of India(KKFI) announced in a press conference that Ms. Sumitra Mahajan, former Speaker of Lok Sabha will inaugurate the championship at 4 pm on March 27 at KD Jadhav Hall in IG Sports Complex. ” Ms. Sumitra Mahajan was herself a good Kho Kho player and played important role in building a Kho Kho stadium in Indore.” Said Shri Mittal.

Shri Mittal also informed that Shri Navneet Sehgal, Chairman, Prasar Bharti Board will also grace the opening ceremony as guest of honour.

The official Mascot of the championship is named ‘Dhakad’. Matches will start from March 18. 73 Teams are divided into 8 groups in both Men and Women section. He also said that all the facilities will be of International standard.

Indian Railways and Airport Authority of India are last year’s champions in Men and Women category respectively. Delhi team got third position in Women’s and 11th position in Men’s category.

Shri S.S. Malik, General Secretary, Delhi Kho Kho Association said “Delhi teams in both section wil perform better than the last year.”

This is the first time Delhi Kho Kho Association is organizing this prestigious championship in the capital of the country. M S Tyagi, General Secretary, KKFI informed at a press conference that a record number of 73 teams, 1332 players, coaches and managers from 37 States, Union Territories and Units across the country are all set to show their skill. All the matches will be played at two venues KD Jadhav indoor Hall and Karnail Singh stadium. Matches will also be shown Live on DD Sports Channel.

Loksabha MP Shri Ramesh Bidhuri has been named as Vice Chairman of organizing committee. He said “PM  Narendra Modi is fully committed to provide facilities for indigenous sports, so that people from rural background can excel at National and International level. People can play Kho Kho without spending a rupee but if someone wants to play cricket he or she will have to buy a kit of ten thousand rupees.”

This championship hold significance for the Ultimate Kho Kho franchises as eminent players identified during the event may find a place in their team’s draft ahead of the upcoming third season of the Ultimate Kho Kho League this year.

The KKFI is intends to host Kho Kho World Cup this year with an aim to secure the inclusion of Kho Kho in the Asian Games and Olympics in the coming years. Shri Sudhanshu Mittal said, “Talks are on and we will give you good news at the end of the National Championship.”