Kho Kho is a traditional game thought to have originated in the Indian subcontinent. The game consists of two or more players pursuing and running after each other.

to reach out or label them typically with their hands. Regarding its popularity, the sport is extensively accepted in South Asia and is additionally played in the UK and South Africa.

The Asian Kho Kho Federation was established in 1987 during the 3rd SAF Games held in Kolkata, with member nations including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, and the Maldives. India hosted the inaugural Asian Championship in Kolkata in 1996, while the second championship took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The countries that took part in the championship included India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Japan, Thailand, and Bangladesh.

Although Kho-Kho's beginning is difficult to understand, many history scholars believe it to be a modified form of "Run Chase," which in its most basic form is following and tagging a person. Rathera, the old name for Kho-Kho, originated in Maharashtra and was played on 'raths' or chariots.

The first kho-kho contests took place in 1914, and with the help of the Kho-kho Federation of India (KKFI), which was established in 1955, the major national championship was staged in Vijayawada in 1959. The Women's Championship was first held in Kohlapur, Maharashtra, in 1960–61.

Since then, the KKFI has made amazing efforts to spread the fun, which is being played at all levels and in all dimensions throughout India, from schools to the national team. At the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin and the 1987 South Asian Federation (SAF) Games in Calcutta (Kolkata), kho-kho was added as an exhibition sport. The Asian Kho-kho Federation, which later promoted kho-kho in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, was established during the SAF Games.

Other Names of the Game

How to play Kho Kho

Similar to tag, the goal of Kho Kho is to tag or chase an opponent and earn points. Nevertheless, it is governed by a rigid set of regulations instead of being an open-ended recreational game.

An official international Kho Kho game consists of two innings with a short intermission in between. Every innings consists of two turns, each lasting nine minutes, during which teams take turns in chasing and defending. The team achieving the highest score after the two innings is declared the winner of the match.

If the teams are even at the conclusion of the game, a tiebreaker inning is played to determine the victor. If there is still no clear winner, both teams alternate turns, and the team that scores one point in the shortest time wins.

Kho Kho Playing Field and Dimensions

The dimensions of a competitive Kho Kho playing field are 27 m by 16 m, making it rectangular. The two 16-meter lines are the end lines, while the two 27-meter lines are the side lines.

Two lines are drawn to mark two small rectangular sections at either end of the field, known as the free zones, at a distance of 1.5 meters parallel to the two end lines.

Two poles, each measuring 120–125 cm in length and 9–10 cm in diameter, are positioned vertically on the ground halfway around the inner border of the two free zones.

The central lane connects the feet of two poles and is a narrow lane, 30 cm wide, that runs parallel to the side lines. Eight additional lanes, known as cross lanes, that are drawn parallel to the end lines and equally spaced apart further separate the region between the two free zones. The width of the cross lanes is 35 cm.

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OFFICIALS

Referee

One referee manages the game, inspecting the condition of the playing area per the game's regulations, overseeing and assisting umpires, monitoring the runners, their entrance from the free zone, penalizing players for their infractions, and declaring the scores.

Umpire

Two umpires are present to officiate the match, call touches and fouls, and enforce the game rules for both teams.

Time Keeper

The timekeeper is responsible for monitoring the length of each quarter of play, signaling the conclusion of every quarter, assessing the duration of break times, and recording the time taken by both teams to touch out a runner in the event of a tie match.

Scoring individual

The scorer, as indicated by its name, keeps track of the teams' scores, verifies the sequence of the active team, and sends the next group into the entry zone areaa

Essential Kho Kho Rules

(a) The Kho Kho rules state that the game is played between two teams, each consisting of 12 members. It is divided into four quarters, each lasting 9 minutes.

(b) According to the Kho Kho rules, three members of the running team are on the field, while the remaining eight members of the chasing team sit on squares within a designated area. These players sit in opposite directions on the cross-lane without crossing the lines. One chaser stands near a pole to begin the chase.

(c) The chaser's objective, following the Kho Kho rules, is to touch or tap the runners, while the runners try to avoid being tagged. Once all three runners are touched, three new runners from the waiting area enter the field, and the game continues.

(d) The chasing team members take positions on the cross-lane, while the runners are allowed to move within a field-range between two poles. The runners can run across the cross-lane or change direction. The Kho Kho rules allow this freedom of movement for the runners.

(e) The chaser is restricted by the Kho Kho rules from crossing the cross-lane or changing direction while chasing. If the chaser needs to turn around, they must touch the pole and resume chasing.

(f) According to the Kho Kho rules, a point is scored every time the chaser touches a runner.

(g) The chaser can pass their turn to another player by tapping them from behind and saying "Kho," as per the Kho Kho rules.

(h) Fouls in the game occur for actions such as early "Kho," touching without saying "Kho," changing direction while chasing, crossing the cross-lane, standing up without receiving a "Kho," or delaying the "Kho."

(i) If the game ends in a tie, as per the Kho Kho rules, an extra turn is played. The team that touches one runner from the opposing team in the shortest time wins the game.

Conclusion: Celebrating the Spirit of Kho Kho

Kho Kho is more than a game; it’s a legacy of agility, teamwork, and tradition. From its roots in South Asia to its rise as an international sport, it continues to inspire players and fans alike. Its structured gameplay, skilled officiating, and global recognition reflect its evolution while preserving its cultural essence.

As a symbol of resilience and strategy, Kho Kho bridges tradition and modernity, ensuring the legacy of this vibrant sport thrives for generations to come.