Ultimate Kho Kho Welcomes International Players for Season 3 Auction
International Players Set to Join Ultimate Kho Kho
Gurugram (Haryana) [India], June 13: In a significant move towards globalizing Kho Kho, the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) has announced that international athletes will be eligible to participate in the player auction for the upcoming third season of Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK).
This announcement was made by KKFI president Sudhanshu Mittal during a press briefing at Shree Guru Gobind Singh Tercentenary (SGT) University on Friday. He revealed that the third season of UKK is set to kick off on November 29, marking an exciting new phase for India's professional Kho Kho league.
The press conference featured the esteemed presence of Gaurav Gautam, Minister of State for Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship (IC), Sports (IC), Law and Legislative (Attached), Government of Haryana, who commended KKFI's efforts in promoting Kho Kho on an international level and enhancing sports development in Haryana.
Other notable attendees included Hemant Verma, Vice Chancellor of SGT University, Amrit Singh Chawla, Governing Body Member of SGT University, and Jawahar Singh Yadav, President of the Haryana Kho Kho Federation. They pledged to enhance the promotion of Kho Kho in Haryana, ensuring players receive better facilities and job opportunities. This announcement coincided with the Advanced Level III A Training Programme for Coaches and Technical Officials currently taking place at the SGT University campus.
Moreover, the Kho Kho Federation of India and SGT University have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at bolstering the development of educational and scientific resources for indigenous sports, including Kho Kho.
During the press conference, Sudhanshu Mittal stated, “Kho Kho has emerged as a representation of India’s sporting innovation and aspirations. With the commencement of Ultimate Kho Kho Season 3 on November 29, 2025, we are excited to take a significant step by allowing international players into the league for the first time. This initiative not only enhances the league's competitive quality but also aligns with our vision of establishing India as the global center for Kho Kho.”
The upcoming season of UKK is anticipated to bring a transformative change to the league's dynamics, as the inclusion of international players is expected to elevate its competitive stature and worldwide recognition. Since its inception in 2022, UKK has rapidly gained popularity, becoming the third-most viewed non-cricket sports tournament in India, following the Pro Kabaddi League and the Indian Super League. The inaugural season attracted 64 million viewers, with 41 million from India alone. The Odisha Juggernauts won the title in Season 1, while the Gujarat Giants triumphed in the 2023-24 season.
The press conference also highlighted the ongoing Advanced Level III A training programme, a two-week intensive initiative organized by KKFI and IKKF to enhance the technical and scientific foundation of the sport. This programme has attracted over 230 participants, including more than 20 international coaches and technical officials from countries such as Sri Lanka, Iran, Australia, Korea, England, Malaysia, and Nepal. Notably, federations have the option to participate in the courses online, making this the first hybrid-format training programme, with countries like Brazil and Peru also in attendance.
The current training programme at SGT University is divided into two parts: coaching training from June 2 to June 11, and technical officials training from June 12 to June 15. The technical officials’ course has seen participation from over 100 Indian officials across 30 states and Union Territories, along with 15 international officials, including representatives from Australia, Nepal, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.