Bhutan’s Kho-Kho National teams are all set to compete for the first Kho-Kho World Cup 2025, which will be held in Delhi. The teams are hopeful of at least making it to the finals at the World Cup. Teams from 26 countries will be taking part in the competition. Kho-Kho is a traditional Indian tag sport.
The Kho-Kho World Cup 2025 will be held from Monday to Sunday. 30 players, 15 each from men’s and women’s teams will represent the country.
Bhutan qualified for the World Cup after the National team secured fifth place at the Fourth Asian Kho-Kho championship in 2022
“We are thrilled about the game’s growing popularity. Like any other sport, Kho-Kho helps maintain physical fitness, while also keeping younger generations away from negative influences like drugs and crime,” said Jigme Dorji, the President of Bhutan Kho-Kho Club.
The teams have been training for more than two months in preparation for the competition.
Among the players is 19-year-old Sunita Subba, the youngest member of the women’s team. She is excited to represent the country at the World Cup.
Sunita Subba said, “I’m a little nervous and unsure about how I’ll perform, especially since this is the World Cup. But with encouragement from my elders, I feel confident that I can do my best. We’ll give our 100% to represent Bhutan, and I’m working hard for that.”
The other players expressed similar excitement.
“I’m excited because it’s a huge honour to represent Bhutan in the Kho-Kho World Cup. We’ll do our best to bring home a victory,” said Ugyen Tsheten, a Kho-Kho Player.
“Kho-Kho isn’t just about stamina; it’s a mental game too, which makes it a bit challenging. But I’m thrilled because this is the first time we’re representing Bhutan in the World Cup,” said Kuenzang Choden, a Kho-Kho Player.
The sport was introduced to Bhutan in 2019, through a collaboration between the Kho -Kho federation of India and the Bhutan Olympic Committee.
Sangay Chozom
Edited by Sangay Chezom