Kho Kho
One of the world's oldest tag sports — born on the fields of Maharashtra, now played across six continents. Pure speed, strategy, and no equipment needed.
Origins
Where did Kho Kho come from?
Kho Kho is one of the oldest tag-based sports on Earth. Its roots are in the ancient Indian subcontinent — strategy historians have linked its circular pursuit concept to the Chakravyuha formation described in the Mahabharata, where the warrior Abhimanyu breaks into a concentric defensive ring. Whether or not that lineage is literal, what is certain is that a chasing game called Kho Kho has been played in rural Maharashtra and across the Indian subcontinent for centuries.
The modern version of the sport was formalised by the Deccan Gymkhana, Pune — the same institution associated with Lokmanya Tilak — which published the first structured rules in1914. Further standardisation came from Gymkhana Baroda in 1924, and from 1955 onwards the newly formed Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) began organising national championships for men and women. The first All India Championship was held in Vijayawada in 1959.
International expansion followed slowly. TheAsian Kho Kho Federation (AKKF) was formed in 1987 during the 3rd SAF Games in Kolkata, and the first Asian Championship was held in Kolkata in 1996. Countries across South Asia — Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan — adopted the game, followed by communities in South Africa, England, and Kenya where large South Asian diaspora populations introduced it.
The professional era began in August 2022 with the launch of the Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK)league — six franchises, indoor format on a mat surface, televised on Sony Sports. The inaugural season attracted 64 million viewers, making it India's third-most watched non-cricket sports league behind only Pro Kabaddi and the ISL. TheInternational Kho Kho Federation (IKKF) was formally affiliated with the KKFI in 2018 and has since grown membership from 6 countries in 2020 to over 55 by 2025.
The defining moment of the sport's global journey came inJanuary 2025 when New Delhi hosted theinaugural Kho Kho World Cup— backed by the Indian Olympic Association, featuring 20 men's and 19 women's teams from six continents including Brazil, Peru, South Africa, South Korea, and Iran. India won both the men's and women's titles, going unbeaten throughout the tournament. Nepal reached both finals — the first time any Nepali team had appeared in a World Cup final in any sport. The Commonwealth Kho Kho Championship is scheduled for 2026, with the sport targeting inclusion in the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Rules & Structure
How Kho Kho actually works
The basic setup
Two teams of 12 players each. Nine players from the chasing team sit in a line on the field facing alternate directions, with one active chaser standing. The other team sends in three defenders at a time. The goal: the chasing team tags all defenders as fast as possible; the defending team tries to survive as long as possible.
How chasing works
The active chaser can only run in one direction — they cannot turn back. To change direction, they touch a seated teammate and say "Kho" — that teammate becomes the new active chaser. Coordination, anticipation, and the ability to read the defenders' movement are everything. The "Kho" handoff is the heart of the game.
Scoring — turns and innings
A match has two innings, each with two turns. In each turn the chasing side gets exactly 9 minutes to tag as many defenders as possible. Points are scored for each defender tagged. The defending side can score bonus points by surviving long enough ("Dream Runs" in UKK format). The team with more points after four turns wins.
Rules for defenders
Defenders enter in batches of three. Once all three in a batch are tagged, the next batch enters. Defenders can cross the central lane freely and use any direction. They cannot leave the court boundary. The key skill is reading the seated chasers to avoid being trapped — a skilled defender can survive the entire 9 minutes.
The court
The field is 29 m long and 16 m wide with a central lane 23.5 m long running lengthwise. Eight posts divide the lane into seven rectangles. Seated chasers sit in these rectangles facing alternate directions. Two posts at each end anchor the field. The entire match happens on this one compact rectangle — intensity is constant.
UKK format differences
The Ultimate Kho Kho league uses a modified indoor mat format with additional scoring categories: Sky Dives (acrobatic tags worth bonus points), Pole Dives (tags near the end posts), and Dream Runs (defenders who survive their entire batch). These additions make the televised version more spectacular and easier to follow for new audiences.
End post
End post
Standard Kho Kho court: 29 m × 16 m. Central lane with 8 cross lanes and posts.
Game structure
How the game is played
Traditional Kho Kho
Outdoor field format
The original form, played on a field of sand or grass. No equipment, no cost — just speed and coordination. This is the format played at national championships, Asian Championships, and the World Cup. Purists regard the outdoor game as the truest expression of the sport.
Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK)
Indoor mat, franchise league
The professional franchise version launched in 2022. Played on an indoor mat surface. Modified scoring categories (Sky Dives, Pole Dives, Dream Runs) make it more television-friendly. Six teams, 18-day season, broadcast on Sony Sports. Season 3 (2025) introduced international players for the first time.
Sitting Kho Kho
Adapted / para version
An adapted format where the active chaser does not need to run — the game is played with seated participants. Developed to make the sport accessible for players with physical disabilities. Supported by KKFI as part of its inclusivity programme.
Junior Kho Kho
Sub-junior and youth
Kho Kho has strong grassroots penetration in Indian schools and colleges. Sub-junior, junior, and youth categories are organised at district, state, and national levels. The 35th Sub-Junior National Championship drew teams from across India in 2026. This pipeline of young talent feeds both UKK franchises and the national team.
Major tournaments
The tournaments that matter
Kho Kho World Cup
Since 2025 · Inaugural
The inaugural edition was held in New Delhi in January 2025 — 20 men's and 19 women's teams from 6 continents. India won both titles, going unbeaten throughout. Nepal reached both finals. South Africa, Brazil, Peru, South Korea, and Iran also competed, marking Kho Kho's genuine global arrival.
Asian Kho Kho Championship
Since 1996 · Asian Federation
The oldest international Kho Kho competition. Organised by the Asian Kho Kho Federation with 12 member nations. India have won all four men's editions. Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan are regular participants. The women's championship began in 2016, also dominated by India.
Ultimate Kho Kho
Since 2022 · Annual franchise league
India's professional Kho Kho franchise league promoted by Amit Burman with KKFI backing. Six city franchises compete over 18 days. India's third-most watched non-cricket league. Season 1 (2022): Odisha Juggernauts. Season 2 (2023–24): Gujarat Giants. Season 3 (2025) introduced international players.
Commonwealth Kho Kho Championship
Debut March 2026
India is hosting the inaugural Commonwealth Kho Kho Championship in March 2026, with 24+ nations expected. The tournament is a key stepping stone toward the sport's inclusion in the 2030 Commonwealth Games — which would make it the first traditional Indian sport to reach the Commonwealth Games.
National Kho Kho Championship (India)
Since 1959 · Annual
The oldest continuously running Kho Kho competition. Organised annually by KKFI for men, women, sub-junior, junior, and senior categories. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha are historically the strongest state teams. The 35th Sub-Junior Championship was held in Kurukshetra, Haryana in 2026.
SAF / South Asian Games
Periodic · South Asia
Kho Kho has featured in the South Asian Games, which helped establish the Asian Kho Kho Federation in 1987. India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh have all competed. The SAF Games remain important for developing competitive Kho Kho outside India, particularly in Nepal where the sport is growing rapidly.
Numbers worth knowing
Numbers that define the sport
Analyse the game
Kho Kho reference on GameOnField
Official court dimensions and field measurements for Kho Kho.
Kho Kho on GameOnField
Official measurements, history, rules, and tournaments — all in one place.