Kho-Kho set for launch of eight-team Ultimate League

Named the Ultimate Kho-Kho League, the tournament will be played in a double round-robin league format and has been proposed to be stage in two cities in September-October 2019.

Ultimate Kho-Kho League set to combine tradition with modern technology

The Ultimate Kho Kho league, featuring eight teams consisting of national and international players, played on a double round-robin league format, has been proposed to be staged in two cities in September-October this year.

The Union Sports Minister, Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, congratulated the organisers on their attempt to promote the indigenous game in a big way, through a video call.

"Kho Kho is played in every school in the country in the rural areas. It is a game that does not require any equipment. You only need speed and agility’’, said the sports minister.

Col. Rathore also assured all help from the government for the promotion of the game.

The president of the Kho Kho Federation of India, Sudanshu Mittal, said that every effort was being made so that, "Kho Kho, kho na jaye’’.

Read: SRFI not to hire full-time foreign coach for India players The vice-chairman of Dabur India, Amit Burman said that the game had tremendous potential, and the league would combine tradition with modern technology.

The secretary general of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and the chairman of the kho kho federation, Rajeev Mehta said that Kho Kho could be a demonstration game, when Indian attempts to host the Olympics 2032. It may be recalled that Kho Kho was on exhibition in the Berlin Olympics.

Saying that the game was being played in 20 countries, the organisers stressed that the league would embrace technology in a big way and tweak the rules to make it attractive on television.

The game is in the process of getting into the Asian Games.

The minister of state for communication, Manoj Sinha, was present to support the game at the launch. He said that he could see a bright future for the game.

When asked about the possible importance being given to the national championship in a similar way as the proposed league, the federation president said that the national championships were held in Jaipur recently, and the organisers were being paid money for the successful conduct.

It was announced that the 21-day league would also serve as a foundation for state-level competition, and district-level leagues.

One of the leading sports broadcasters is expected to telecast the league that is tentatively scheduled to feature 60 matches.

The team owners and sponsors would be finalised in due course of time.