Host India will play its arch-rival Pakistan in the opening match of the first Kho-Kho World Cup starting on January 13, the organisers announced on Wednesday. At least 24 countries have confirmed their participation in the tournament to be held from January 13 to 19. The matches will be played at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium and the Noida Indoor Stadium. 

Kho Kho World Cup CEO Vikram Dev Dogra told reporters here that the league stage matches will start from January 13. The opening match will be played between India and Pakistan on January 13. Before this, there will be an opening ceremony. He said that after this, league stage matches will also be played on January 14, 15 and 16. The quarter finals will be held on January 17, semi-finals on January 18 and the final on January 19.

Organizing the World Cup for the first time

In this competition, 21 teams will participate in the men’s category and 20 teams in the women’s category. Indian Kho Kho Federation chief and organizing committee chairman Sudhanshu Mittal said that Bollywood star Salman Khan will be the brand ambassador of this tournament. He said that I am proud to announce that Salman Khan will be the brand ambassador of the competition. KKFI president Sudhanshu Mittal thanked Salman and said that his presence will attract more people’s attention to the World Cup. 

Salman expressed his happiness on being the brand ambassador of the first Kho-Kho World Cup. Salman praised the initiative of hosting the World Cup and said that he is thrilled to see the sport spreading across the world. Salman Khan said in a message that he is proud to be associated with the first-ever Kho-Kho World Cup 2025! It is not just a tournament – it is a symbol of the soil, spirit and strength of India. All of us, including him, have played Kho-Kho at some point in our lives.