Kho Kho
A chase game from Maharashtra, India: nine chasers sit in a line facing alternate ways, and only one may run at a time. The chase passes with a tap on the back and the call "kho!".
AT A GLANCE
- ERA
- Folk · rules 1914
- ORIGIN
- Maharashtra, India
- PLAYERS
- 12 squad · 9 on court
- EQUIPMENT
- 2 wooden posts
- PLAYING AREA
- 27 × 16 m
- DURATION
- 4 turns × 7–9 min
- GOVERNING BODY
- KKFI · IKKF
- OLYMPIC
- No
The court
| Part | Size |
|---|---|
| Court | 27 × 16 m |
| Central lane | 30 cm wide, post to post |
| Free zones | 1.5 m deep at each end |
| Squares | 8, one per seated chaser |
| What happens | Result |
|---|---|
| Active chaser tags a defender | Defender out · 1 point |
| Defender steps outside the court | Defender out · 1 point |
| Innings | Each side chases once and defends once |
| Match | Higher total after both innings wins |
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1914 | First written rules, Deccan Gymkhana, Pune |
| 1936 | Demonstrated at the Berlin Olympics |
| 1955 | Kho Kho Federation of India formed |
| 2022 | Ultimate Kho Kho franchise league launches |
| 2025 | First Kho Kho World Cup, New Delhi |
How a turn works
The chasing team puts 8 players in the squares and 1 active chaser on court. Defenders enter in batches of three. The active chaser cannot cross the central lane, so to switch sides they tap a seated teammate's back and call "kho", handing over the chase.
Scoring in one line
Every defender tagged out, or who steps off the court, is a point to the chasers. Two innings each; the higher total wins.
Where it came from
A playground chase game across Maharashtra, given formal rules by the Deccan Gymkhana in Pune in 1914. National championships followed after independence.
Kho Kho today
Played in Indian schools and at the South Asian Games. The Ultimate Kho Kho league runs a faster 7-a-side format, and the first World Cup was held in New Delhi in 2025.
Run a Kho Kho tournament
Brackets, fixtures and standings in your browser — 2 innings · 4 turns.
FAQ
Is Kho Kho an Olympic sport?
No. It was demonstrated at the 1936 Berlin Olympics but has never been a medal sport. It is played at the South Asian Games and has its own World Cup.
How many players are in a Kho Kho team?
A squad has 12 players. Nine take the field when chasing: eight sit in the squares and one runs.
What does "kho" mean?
It is the call the active chaser makes while tapping a seated teammate, passing the right to chase to them.