Q. Consider the following statements in respect of the first Kho Kho World Cup:
- The event was held in Delhi, India.
- Indian men beat Nepal with a score of 78-40 in the final to become the World Champion in men category.
- Indian women beat Nepal with a score of in the final to become the World Champion in women category.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2025)
Answer:
I, II and III
Notes: The correct answer is
[D] I, II and III. The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup was a historic event held in early 2025, marking the global elevation of this traditional Indian sport.
- Statement 1 – Correct: The first-ever Kho Kho World Cup was hosted in New Delhi, India, at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in January 2025. The event featured 24 nations from across six continents, organized by the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) in collaboration with the International Kho Kho Federation.
- Statement 2 – Correct: In the men’s final, India defeated Nepal with a dominant performance, finishing with a score of 78-40. The Indian team maintained their unbeaten streak throughout the tournament to claim the maiden world title.
- Statement 3 – Correct: The Indian women’s team also secured the championship by defeating Nepal in the final. They won by an innings and 33 points (with a final match score of 68-35), mirroring the success of the men's team and establishing India's supreme dominance in the sport.
The tournament was significant for introducing modernized rules and high-mats to ensure the sport met international broadcasting and competitive standards. It served as a major step toward the goal of including Kho Kho in the Asian Games and potentially the Olympic Games.