The Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex in New Delhi was abuzz with excitement as the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup kicked off. Set in the heart of the bustling city, the expansive venue was the perfect stage for a tournament that promised to make history. Spectators, both local and international, filled the stands, eagerly awaiting the opening ceremony. The event, which was a grand spectacle of color and energy, saw talented dancers performing a choreographed routine that had the audience captivated. But the real thrill began when the first match of the tournament — a much-anticipated clash between India and Nepal — was about to begin.
Amid the sea of colors and cheering crowds, a few striking yellow jerseys caught the eye near the media box. These jerseys were a sign of an unexpected but exciting addition to the Kho Kho World Cup: Brazil. While Brazil is a sporting giant in the world of football, where it has consistently excelled on the global stage, their involvement in the Kho Kho World Cup was a surprising and unique development. The country's footballing heritage, with icons like Pelé, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Roberto Carlos, has long dominated the global sports conversation. As such, Brazil is almost always a favorite to win in any World Cup tournament, particularly in football. However, Brazil's venture into Kho Kho — a sport that originated in India and remains largely confined to Asia — was an unfamiliar territory for the nation.
The curiosity surrounding Brazil's entry into the tournament was palpable. Journalists from around the world were eager to understand how this football powerhouse had found its way into Kho Kho, a game that is almost a cultural institution in India but has yet to establish itself significantly in South America. While Kho Kho has made some strides in countries such as South Africa and the UK, it is still largely unknown in Brazil, where other sports like soccer, volleyball, and basketball dominate the sporting landscape. Yet, Brazil's presence at the Kho Kho World Cup marked a pivotal moment in the sport's global expansion.
The Brazilian team itself, a mix of athletes from various sports, was an embodiment of determination and adaptability. The squad included individuals from different professional backgrounds, including a data analyst, a human resources manager, and several athletes from sports like flag football, American football, and handball. Despite their limited exposure to Kho Kho, these athletes brought with them a wealth of experience in competitive sports, as well as an eagerness to embrace the challenges of this new game.
Brazil’s journey into Kho Kho began through a chance encounter. Laura Doering, the coach of the Brazilian team, is a flag football athlete who was introduced to Kho Kho by Rohit Haldania, the General Secretary of the International Kho Kho Federation, during an International Olympic Committee (IOC) Young Leaders programme. Haldania, who was passionate about expanding the sport internationally, encouraged Laura to create a team and participate in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup. “I had no connection to Kho Kho until four months ago,” Laura admitted. “Rohit invited me to create Brazil’s first national Kho Kho team to play in this inaugural World Cup. I started learning about the sport and then reached out to my athletes from flag football, American football, and even handball to form a team. We needed players with speed, agility, and the ability to change direction quickly.”
For the Brazilian athletes, the decision to embrace Kho Kho was born out of curiosity and a desire to learn. Gabriel Coronas, the captain of the team, remembers the moment when Laura first introduced them to the sport. “Laura showed us videos and said, ‘Hey guys, this is a new sport. It’s one of the best in India.’ When we saw it, I thought, ‘Damn, this is so different!’ We really wanted to try it,” Coronas shared. Despite their initial unfamiliarity with Kho Kho, the players were committed to competing at a high level. “We know the weight this has. We want to be competitive,” Coronas added. “As athletes, we understand what it takes to play a sport, and we believe we can give strong competition to other countries.”
For Nicholas Tadeu, a data analyst and one of the team’s key players, the invitation to play Kho Kho was an unexpected yet exciting opportunity. “One Thursday afternoon, I was working when Laura sent me a message: ‘Nicholas, do you want to go to India to play a new sport?’ Of course, I couldn’t say no! I met Laura through flag football, and we’ve been friends for years. She knew we were good athletes and thought we could adapt to Kho Kho,” Tadeu said.
As the team began its journey, it quickly became clear that they were not just participating in a sports tournament, but making history as Brazil’s first national Kho Kho team. “We know we are making history,” Tadeu reflected. “We are not just a team but a federation aiming to develop Kho Kho in Brazil.” However, the path to success was not going to be easy. The competition in Brazil’s group — which included India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Peru — was formidable. India, the birthplace of Kho Kho, was the clear favorite, and Laura admitted that it would be a tough challenge to compete with them. “India created the sport and are the best at it. Playing them will be a huge learning experience for us,” Laura said. “We’ll try to make it competitive, but we know it’s almost impossible because they are awesome.”
Despite the formidable challenges, the Brazilian team remained optimistic, understanding that their goal was not necessarily to win the tournament but to gain experience and lay the foundation for the future of Kho Kho in Brazil. “Our main goal is to win the matches we can—like the one against Peru,” Laura explained. “Bhutan might also be a possibility, but it will be tough against Nepal and India. Still, this is all about gaining experience and improving for the future.”
For Laura, the potential for Kho Kho to thrive in Brazil is immense. “It’s similar to a childhood game we play called ‘pega-pega,’ so we think it can spread easily,” she said. “Plus, it doesn’t need much equipment, making it accessible.” The simplicity and low-cost nature of Kho Kho has made it an attractive option for sports sponsors who see the potential for growth. As Laura noted, sponsors are interested in supporting the team’s development because they believe in the sport’s accessibility and potential to reach a large audience.
As the tournament progresses, Brazil’s participation in the Kho Kho World Cup stands as a significant milestone in the sport’s journey toward global recognition. With the International Kho Kho Federation aiming to expand the sport to 90 countries by 2030, Brazil’s involvement marks the beginning of what could be an exciting and transformative chapter for Kho Kho. The Brazilian team’s dedication to learning, improving, and spreading the sport back home is a clear indication of the bright future that lies ahead.
As Brazil’s first national Kho Kho team steps onto the global stage, they are not only participating in a sports tournament but also helping to shape the future of Kho Kho and inspiring a new generation of athletes in Brazil. The team’s passion, drive, and commitment to making their mark on the world stage will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the sport. With each “kho” they play, Brazil is proving that it is not just about football — the country is ready to embrace new challenges and make history in other sports as well.
