Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya advocates for inclusion of kho kho in Asian Games, 2036 Olympics

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya advocates for inclusion of kho kho in Asian Games, 2036 Olympics

On Wednesday, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya expressed the government’s commitment to promote traditional Indian sports on a global scale. He emphasised that a collective effort is needed to get kho kho included in the Asian Games and the 2036 Olympics.

India is aiming to host the 2036 Olympics and has submitted a ‘Letter of Intent’ to the International Olympic Committee’s Future Host Commission. If India secures the hosting rights, kho kho is one of six sports that the ministry’s Mission Olympic Cell plans to recommend for inclusion in the 2036 Olympics. The other sports include Twenty20 cricket, kabaddi, chess, and squash.

Mandaviya noted the successful organisation of the kho kho World Cup and stressed the need to ensure that these players have the opportunity to compete in the Asian Games. He made these comments while honouring the World Cup-winning Indian kho kho teams.

“The government is also focused on promoting kho kho at the Olympics in 2036. For this to happen, players and coaches need to perform well, the federation must manage effectively, and the Sports Ministry will continue to support and enhance player performance,” he stated.

The felicitation event was attended by the men’s and women’s teams, their coaches, and the president of the Kho Kho Federation of India, Sudhanshu Mittal. The Indian men’s and women’s teams won the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup titles at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on January 19, defeating Nepal in both finals.

Discussing the revival of traditional sports in India, Mandaviya remarked, “Traditional games highlight resilience, community spirit, and our cultural values. The world has much to learn from the richness of these traditional games.”