Bhutan Debuts in the Kho Kho World Cup 2025
Bhutan's National Teams Set to Compete on Global Stage
By Victor Gurung
Bhutan’s national kho kho teams are set to make their debut in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025, scheduled from January 13 to 19 at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, India.
The men’s team is placed in Group A alongside India, Nepal, Peru, and Brazil, while the women’s team competes in Group C with Nepal, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Bangladesh.
The men’s team will face Peru on January 14 at 12:30 PM, Brazil on January 15 at 5:15 PM, Nepal on January 16 at 9:15 AM, and India on January 16 at 8:15 PM.
Bhutan qualified for the World Cup after securing fifth place at the Fourth Asian Kho-Kho Championship in 2023
The teams have been training intensively for over two months, with 30 players—15 men and 15 women—representing the country.
“The Kho Kho World Cup 2025 is not just a competition; it is an opportunity for teams to showcase their skill, determination, and the spirit of the sport. We are excited to see teams like Bhutan making their mark on the international stage. This tournament will set the foundation for the future of Kho Kho, and it is thrilling to witness the global growth of this game.”
Mr. Anup Chakraborty, Head Coach
The men’s and women’s tournaments will start with group stage matches, followed by knockout rounds. The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarter-finals. The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup will be played in a 12-player-per-side format.
Kho Kho, a traditional Indian sport, was first showcased alongside Kabaddi and Mallakhamb at the Berlin Olympics in 1936. The sport was introduced to Bhutan in 2019 through a collaboration between the Kho Kho Federation of India and the Bhutan Olympic Committee, marking a significant milestone in its expansion beyond India.
The Bhutan Olympic Committee extends its best wishes to the national kho kho teams as they embark on this historic journey, confident in their dedication and the nation’s support.
Bhutan takes immense pride as Desuup Ugyen Wangchuk and Desuup Kunzang Choden step onto the global stage as captains of the men’s and women’s national Kho Kho teams, respectively. Their leadership exemplifies the core values of discipline, service, and excellence instilled through the Desuung program.
Representing Bhutan, a dedicated team of 30 De-suups (15 men and 15 women) has been rigorously training for over two months under the expert mentorship of Head Coach Mr. Anup Chakraborty from India. Among them, 21 are graduates of the De-suung Skilling Programme (DSP) in Integrated Fitness Training, bringing a unique blend of discipline and skill to the team.
This remarkable preparation is the result of a collaborative effort by the Bhutan Kho Kho Club, Bhutan Olympic Committee, De-suung HQ, and the De-suung Skilling Programme, ensuring our players are ready to shine on the global stage.
Bhutan qualified for the World Cup after the National team secured fifth place at the Fourth Asian Kho-Kho championship in 2022