The ancient game of kho kho is enjoying a resurgence in India, with organisers of the first international tournament hoping their efforts will secure the sport's place in the Olympics.
"My elder sister played the sport, but was not able to pursue her dreams," Indian women's team player Nasreen Shaikh, 26, told AFP. "We have crossed the first barrier of playing in a World Cup. The next big step would be an entry in the Olympics."
"My elder sister played the sport, but was not able to pursue her dreams," Indian women's team player Nasreen Shaikh, 26, told AFP. "We have crossed the first barrier of playing in a World Cup. The next big step would be an entry in the Olympics."
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00:00We ask someone, have you played Kho-Kho?
00:16There is a different smell, there is a happiness on the face.
00:19Yes, we have played in our childhood.
00:21But somewhere we were not able to get the platform.
00:24Today, in the whole world, which has an identity, which is shining,
00:28there is no shortage of Kho-Kho compared to cricket.
00:33And my wish is that we are going to clear our first step,
00:38we are going to play in the World Cup.
00:40After that, we should have the entry of Kho-Kho in the Olympics
00:44and Kho-Kho should go to the Olympics.
00:59Yes, he motivated me a lot because he did not get the chance.
01:03So somewhere he wanted to play for India,
01:06but he did not get the platform, which he supported me.
01:10So I made this target that I will fulfill my dream.
01:15I think the turning point was the transition from mud to mat.
01:33That changed the game completely.
01:35It internationalized the game.
01:37It made it a global game.
01:39And that's how more and more countries are now adopting this game.
01:44Today, we are in 55 countries.
01:46By the end of this year, we will be in 90 countries.
01:49It has just started.
01:51In cricket, you have to give some time to develop a game.