Will Ultimate Kho Kho Season 3 Feature International Players?

Gurugram, June 13 (NationPress) In a groundbreaking announcement, the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) revealed that for the very first time, international players will be eligible to participate in the Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) players' auction for its much-anticipated third season, set to kick off on November 29, 2025.

This pivotal announcement was made by KKFI President Sudhanshu Mittal during a press conference held at Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tercentenary (SGT) University on Friday. He further confirmed that the third season of UKK will mark a significant evolution in India's professional Kho Kho league.

During the press conference, Mittal stated, “Kho Kho has emerged as a representation of India’s sporting creativity and ambition. With the commencement of Ultimate Kho Kho Season 3 on November 29, 2025, we are excited to take a bold step by integrating international players into the league for the first time. This initiative not only enhances the competitive integrity of the league but also aligns with our vision of establishing India as the global epicenter for Kho Kho.”

The upcoming season signifies a major transformation in the league's framework, with international players expected to elevate its competitive stature and worldwide appeal. Since its inception in 2022, UKK has rapidly ascended to become the third-most viewed non-cricket sporting event in India, following the Pro Kabaddi League and Indian Super League. The inaugural season attracted 64 million viewers, with 41 million coming from India alone. The Odisha Juggernauts took home the title in Season 1, while the Gujarat Giants triumphed in the 2023–24 edition.

The press conference also highlighted the ongoing Advanced Level III A training programme, a two-week intensive course organized by KKFI and IKKF aimed at bolstering the technical and scientific framework of the sport. This initiative has attracted over 230 participants, including more than 20 international coaches and technical officials from countries like Sri Lanka, Iran, Australia, Korea, England, and Malaysia. Notably, federations had the option to participate online, marking this as the first hybrid-format training programme, with countries such as Brazil and Peru joining in.

The current programme, taking place at SGT University, is divided into two segments: coaching training from June 2–11 and technical officials training from June 12–15. The technical officials’ course has seen participation from over 100 Indian officials across 30 states and UTs, and 15 international officials from Australia, Nepal, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and others.

The press conference was graced by Gaurav Gautam, Minister of State for Youth Empowerment & Entrepreneurship (IC), Sports (IC), Law & Legislative (Attached), Government of Haryana, who acknowledged KKFI's commitment to promoting Kho Kho globally and enhancing the state of sports development in Haryana.

Other distinguished attendees included Prof. Dr. Hemant Verma, Vice Chancellor of SGT University, Amrit Singh Chawla, Member of the Governing Body of SGT University, and Jawahar Singh Yadav, President of the Haryana Kho Kho Federation, who assured that Kho Kho would receive extensive promotion in Haryana, along with improved facilities and job opportunities for players. This announcement coincided with the ongoing Advanced Level III A Training Programme for Coaches and Technical Officials at the SGT University campus.

Moreover, the Kho Kho Federation of India and SGT University have established a Memorandum of Understanding to reinforce their commitment to developing educational and scientific resources for all indigenous sports, including Kho Kho.