We’re committed to making Kho-Kho an Olympic sport, says KKFI President Sudhanshu Mittal ahead of the inaugural Kho-Kho World Cup

Kho-Kho, one of India's few home-grown sports, has long held the potential to be redefined, paving the way for an unprecedented rise. Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho-Kho Federation of India (KKFI), believes the inaugural Kho-Kho World Cup shall spark that revolution and propel the sport to greater global heights.

The World Cup, set to be held in New Delhi, will see representation from six continents. Sudhanshu believes this is exactly what the sport needs to go global. The seasoned administrator now has an even bigger vision, that is to see it getting included in the prestigious Olympic Games.

In an exclusive conversation with Sportskeeda, Sudhanshu Mittal shared his ambition to take Kho-Kho to the global stage.

"We have a dream..and that is to take Kho-Kho to the Olympics. Our ambition is to see an Indian game be played globally and the World Cup will have it transcend borders. Our intention was to have a representation from all continents. To see it at the Olympics, we must spread the game. It is crucial to instill a passion for this sport in the natives of numerous countries around the globe," Sudhanshu said.

An issue that has for long disrupted the growth of numerous sports in India is the lack of a long-term sustainable vision. However, Mittal believes that shall not be the case here as the federation is determined to achieve a greater goal.

"If we are targetting the 2032 Olympics or the Asian Games in 2030, we certainly do not possess a short-term vision. Only a sustained vision and effort will see us reach those heights. Kho-kho is a mass game, not a niche one, so it will not wither away so easily. Both the KKFI and the International federation is determined. We are currently in 54 nations, and by the end of 2025, we aim to be in 90," he added.

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We aim to register 50 lakh players from rural schools across India, says Sudhanshu Mittal on Kho-Kho's grassroots plans

It is crucial to build momentum for a sport at the grassroots level if it is to grow and thrive. Sudhanshu Mittal understands this and has assured that the KKFI is fully focused on nurturing the game from its most important foundation — the grassroots. In the same interview, he said:

"By the time the World Cup starts, we'll have registered 50 lakh players from rural schools across India, with federation units in 680 districts. While the game has long been played at the grassroots, we've now established an organized structure for documentation."

"Using technology we ensure efficient multi-level governance. From districts to states to the national setup, we have created apps for a comprehensive governance of the game in India," Mittal concluded.

Kho-Kho is a sport that resonates with many in the country. As a traditional Indian sport, its growth and success will contribute to the nation's progress. Thus, a successful World Cup shall pave the way for even greater development of the sport.