GUWAHATI: Indian men’s and women’s kho kho teams claimed victory in the finals of the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Sunday, January 19. India defeated Nepal in both title clashes, with the men’s team winning 54-36 and the women’s team securing 78-40 win.
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The tournament, backed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), featured 20 men’s teams and 19 women’s teams from around the globe. India showcased exceptional dominance throughout, going undefeated in both categories.
In the men’s final, Nepal won the toss and chose to defend. India took the chance to attack first, surging to a 26-0 lead by the end of Turn 1. Nepal fought back in Turn 2, narrowing the gap to 26-18. However, India’s relentless efforts in Turn 3 extended their lead to 54-18. Nepal could only reduce the gap to 54-36 as India claimed the historic title.
The Indian men’s team’s journey to the trophy was equally impressive, with victories in all four Group A matches, including a narrow win against Nepal. They defeated Sri Lanka in the quarter-finals and South Africa in the semi-finals to book their place in the final.
Meanwhile, the women’s final saw India dominate from the outset. Nepal elected to defend after winning the toss, a decision that backfired as the Indian players dismantled their defence with precision. Led by captain Priyanka Ingle, India surged to a 34-0 lead at the close of Turn 1. Though Nepal managed to narrow the gap to 35-24 in Turn 2. In turn 3, India eliminated six batches of defenders and extended their lead to 73-24.
The women’s team, like their male counterparts, remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. They topped Group A with ease, before defeating Bangladesh and South Africa in the knockout stages.
