Has Kho Kho Secured a Spot in Major National Sports Calendars?

New Delhi, July 29 (NationPress) In a remarkable achievement for Kho Kho, the sport has officially been added to the annual sports calendar of the All India Electricity Sports Control Board (AIESCB), the leading organization dedicated to the governance and promotion of sports within India's electricity sector.

The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) announced that this is a significant milestone reflecting the sport’s growing prominence.

This announcement was made during the AIESCB’s General Body Meeting in Mumbai, where Kho Kho was recognized as an official discipline alongside other sports such as cricket, football, kabaddi, badminton, hockey, and tennis.

This pivotal development indicates a rising trend among governmental and semi-governmental organizations to adopt Kho Kho as a mainstream sport, thereby broadening its presence on the sporting calendars of various entities.

With Kho Kho's inclusion in the AIESCB’s sports calendar, players now have enhanced opportunities for stable careers through employment quotas in sports, motivating aspiring athletes to pursue the game professionally. Kho Kho is already recognized in the sporting calendars of the Services Sports Control Board and the Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB).

This evolution not only emphasizes the sport’s transformation from its traditional roots to a professional arena but also fosters new job opportunities through departmental teams and job reservations in different government sectors.

“Kho Kho’s addition to major sports calendars is a significant acknowledgment; it affirms the sport’s increasing relevance across India,” stated Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India. “We are witnessing a profound shift wherein a traditional Indian game is now claiming its place at the highest institutional levels, inspiring countless youth from rural and semi-urban areas to consider Kho Kho as a viable career.”

In yet another testament to the sport’s growing national prominence, Kho Kho was introduced for the first time in the Supreme Court of India’s Annual Sports Meet earlier this month. This recognition by a prestigious institution signifies Kho Kho's expanding visibility in elite circles, both in terms of participation and acknowledgment.

The increasing endorsement of Kho Kho by governmental and autonomous entities contributes to a broader national movement aimed at democratizing sports participation and providing platforms for indigenous games to flourish. As the sport continues its upward path, its inclusion in major sporting calendars is crucial in creating a future where Kho Kho athletes have structured employment, sustainable growth opportunities, and pathways to represent India at national and international competitions.

With more governmental bodies anticipated to follow this trend, the outlook for Kho Kho as both a sport and profession appears increasingly promising, celebrating its rich heritage while gaining momentum in its modern resurgence.