Mansukh Mandaviya pitches for kho kho's inclusion in Asian Games, 2036 Olympics

India aims to take traditional sports like kho kho to the world stage, including the 2036 Olympics, with government support.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday (January 22, 2025) expressed the government's desire to take traditional Indian sports to the world and said a collective effort would be required 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', expressing its desire to the International Olympic Committee's Future Host Commission, taking the first concrete step towards its ambitious plan.

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If India gets the hosting rights, kho kho is one of the six sports the Ministry's Mission Olympic Cell plans to recommend for inclusion in the 2036 Olympics, along with Twenty20 cricket, kabaddi, chess and squash.

"We did a splendid job of organising the Kho Kho World Cup and we need to make an effort that these players get a chance to play at the Asian Games," Mr. Mandaviya said, while felicitating the World Cup-winning Indian kho kho teams.

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"The Government's endeavour is also to take kho kho to the Olympics in 2036. For this, the players and coaches need to keep performing well, the federation has to keep managing well and the Sports Ministry will carry on supporting and helping to raise the level of players' performances."