New Delhi, Jan 9 (NationPress) The Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) announced the Indian men’s and women’s teams for the Kho Kho World Cup, scheduled to occur at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium from January 13 to 19. This inaugural edition of the prestigious event, jointly organized by KKFI and the International Kho Kho Federation (IKKF), will witness participation from 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams, with representatives from 23 countries arriving in our beautiful nation for the tournament.
At the helm of the men’s squad is Pratik Waikar. The recipient of the Eklavya Award, who made his debut for India in 2016, started his Kho Kho journey at the young age of eight, inspired by a neighbor. Despite holding degrees in Computer Science and Finance, he chose to pursue Kho Kho professionally and secured a job through the sports quota. He has previously captained the Telugu Yoddhas to a runner-up finish in the Ultimate Kho Kho League and led Maharashtra to a gold medal in the 56th Senior National Championship.
"This is a dream come true for me. When the officials announced the team, I experienced goosebumps. Having played Kho Kho for many years, I was just thrilled, eagerly waiting for my name to be called as the captain of the Indian team. This is a monumental achievement for me, as leading our country in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup on home soil is the pinnacle of my career," Pratik expressed following the announcement.
The men’s team will be guided by head coach Ashwani Kumar Sharma, who brings over five decades of experience to the table. His impressive credentials include leading the men's team to gold at the 2019 South Asian Games and securing a championship with the Odisha Juggernauts in Season 1 of UKK. His coaching skills were recognized when he was named Delhi's best coach in 2014, making him an invaluable asset as the team aims for championship success.
On the women's side, Priyanka Ingle has been appointed as the captain. A stalwart of the squad, she has participated in 23 Nationals over 15 years. Her accolades include the Ila Award (best sub-junior player), the Rani Laxmi Bai Award (2022 Senior Nationals), and a gold at the 4th Asian Kho Kho Championship 2022-23. An all-rounder with a degree in M. Com, she currently works at the Income Tax Department in Mumbai while maintaining a rigorous training schedule.
"Being selected as captain of the Indian women's team for the first World Cup is an incredible honor. Everyone has shown immense faith in me by entrusting me with this responsibility. I am determined to live up to their expectations and secure the gold medal for India," Priyanka stated.
The team will also be coached by Sumit Bhatia, an accomplished Kho Kho coach with numerous national achievements, including multiple medals in the Senior National Championships. As chief coach of the women's team at the 4th Asian Kho Kho Championship 2023, he has led them to international success, including gold medals at the 3rd Asian Championship and the 12th South Asian Games, while also serving as an international referee at various global events.
"The selection of our national teams signifies a historic milestone for Kho Kho as we gear up to host the inaugural World Cup. With 23 countries participating, this tournament will highlight India's sporting heritage on an international platform. Our men’s and women’s teams embody the best talent from across the nation, selected through a rigorous process.
"Under the leadership of Pratik Waikar and Priyanka Ingle, along with our seasoned coaching staff, we are optimistic about delivering remarkable performances. This World Cup is not merely a tournament; it symbolizes Kho Kho's transformation from a traditional Indian sport to a competitive international event, aspiring for Olympic recognition," remarked Sudhanshu Mittal, president of KKFI.
MS Tyagi, the general secretary of KKFI, added, "Our selection process was thorough and transparent, ensuring we have the strongest teams representing India. The overwhelming response from 23 participating nations reflects the growing global interest in Kho Kho. With our world-class facilities at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and the extraordinary talent in both teams, we are well-prepared to host a landmark tournament that will elevate the sport's standards. This World Cup will not only showcase India’s organizational capabilities but also help solidify Kho Kho as a prominent international sport."
The squads were finalized after an intense training camp held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi from December 10, 2024. The KKFI Selection Committee, led by President Sudhanshu Mittal and General Secretary MS Tyagi, played a pivotal role in selecting the final 15 players for both teams, with guidance from the coaching staff during the training camp involving 60 male and 60 female athletes.
Squads:
Men's: Pratik Waikar (Captain), Prabani Sabar, Mehul, Sachin Bhargo, Suyash Gargate, Ramji Kashyap, Siva Pothir Reddy, Aditya Ganpule, Gowtham M.K., Nikhil B, Akash Kumar, Subramani V., Suman Barman, Aniket Pote, S. Rokeson Singh
Standby: Akshay Bangare, Rajvardhan Shankar Patil, Vishwanath Janakiram.
Women's: Priyanka Ingle (Captain), Ashwini Shinde, Reshma Rathore, Bhilar Devjibhai, Nirmala Bhati, Neeta Devi, Chaithra R., Subhashree Sing, Magai Majhi, Anshu Kumari, Vaishnavi Bajrang, Nasreen Shaikh, Meenu, Monika, Nazia Bibi
Standby: Sampada More, Ritika Siloriya, Priyanka Bhopi.
