Canberra's first Kho Kho competition welcomes 24 players, most trying the sport for the first time
Twenty-four people competed in the ACT's first formal Kho Kho competition; more than half had never heard of the sport before.
Kho Kho, one of India's oldest playground games, made its formal debut in Canberra at Taylor 1 Sports Ground this month. The event drew 24 players aged 12 to 40, split into two teams, and surprised organisers with how quickly newcomers grasped the rules.
The game works like tag with a twist: instead of simply chasing opponents, players must race around a pole or tap a teammate and shout "Kho!" to hand over the pursuit.
Each successful tag earns a point. Matches demand speed, strategy and sharp decision-making as players switch between chasing, defending and waiting.
Federation of Indian Associations ACT president Sahithi Paturi said the bigger achievement was not the competition itself but making Australians aware the sport existed. The event drew over 30 spectators and was supported by the High Commission of India.
- 24 players aged 12 to 40
- Participants
- Taylor 1 Sports Ground
- Location
- More than half had never heard of Kho Kho
- New to sport
- Over 30
- Spectators
Why it mattersKho Kho offers young Australians a genuine alternative to the cricket connection most have with Indian culture, and helps build bridges between communities through sport.
AustraliaThe competition was the ACT's first formal Kho Kho event and signals growing interest in traditional Indian sports among Australian youth, though no ongoing program has been confirmed yet.
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