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India`s teams triumphed at the Kho Kho World Cup 2025, showcasing talent and leadership from Pratik Waikar and Priyanka Ingle.

India`s men`s and women`s teams showcased their dominance at the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025, held from January 13 to 19 in New Delhi. Backed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the tournament featured 20 men`s teams and 19 women`s teams, with India remaining undefeated throughout the competition. The matches were broadcast exclusively on Star Sports and streamed on platforms like Disney+ Hotstar, JioCinema, and Doordarshan, attracting an impressive average of 2.6 million unique viewers per match.

The Maharashtra government celebrated the success of the nine state players who contributed to India`s victory, awarding each player Rs 2.25 crore and their coaches Rs 22.5 lakh each. Team skippers Pratik Waikar and Priyanka Ingle received accolades for their exceptional leadership, further enhancing the sport`s profile in Maharashtra, the birthplace of Kho Kho. The government also offered jobs to the players, aiming to inspire young athletes in the region.

The tournament generated significant interest, with the Kho Kho Federation of India securing partnerships with around 20 brands and generating Rs 40 crore in revenue through sponsorships. A school contract program was launched to engage 10 lakh kids across 680 districts in India, promoting Kho Kho at the grassroots level. Key partners included Ease My Trip, Zomato District, Shiv Naresh, Red Health, Radio Mirchi, Campa, and Blackberries. The federation is also working towards including Kho Kho in the Olympics, with Bollywood stars Salman Khan and Tiger Shroff appointed as brand ambassadors to further promote the sport.

Matches lasted approximately one hour and five minutes, with only 28 minutes dedicated to actual gameplay, divided into four seven-minute turns. The remaining time was spent on breaks, reviews, and transitions, contributing to the tournament`s engaging atmosphere. The grand celebrations in the players` hometowns mirrored those seen for cricket victories, indicating a rising popularity of Kho Kho in India.

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