I still can’t believe that a game we used to play in PT [physical training] period, is now being appreciated and played by foreigners from all over the world. This was the best takeaway for me from the Kho Kho World Cup last week,” says Aniket Pote, who has just returned to his Bandra East home from Delhi, which hosted 23 countries at the maiden World Cup held there between January 13 and 19.   

Unsurprisingly, India dominated the tournament, with both the men’s and women’s teams bagging the Cup. After all, as winning team member Pote points out, “Baccha baccha Kho Kho khelta hai India mein (every kid grows up playing Kho Kho here).” What amazed viewers watching the WC unfold on TV last week, though, was seeing players all the way from the US, UK, Germany, South Korea and even Kenya and Uganda compete in what has traditionally been an Indian backyard pastime. Interestingly, Pakistan was missing from the event, despite the sport also being popular there.