Consider the following statements in respect of the first Kho Kho World Cup: I. The event was held in Delhi, India. II. Indian men beat Nepal with a score of 78-40 in the final to become the World Champion in men category. III. Indian women beat Nepal with a score of 54-36 in the final to become the World Champion in women category. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Contents13
- AI only
- BII and III only
- CI and III only
- DI, II and III
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Answer: (A) I only
(I) 'The first Kho Kho World Cup was held in Delhi' — CORRECT.
The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup was held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi in January 2025, organized by the Kho Kho Federation of India. ✓
(II) 'Indian men beat Nepal 78-40 in the final' — INCORRECT.
The scores mentioned for men's and women's finals are swapped.
The Indian men beat Nepal 54-36 in the final (not 78-40). ✗
(III) 'Indian women beat Nepal 54-36 in the final' — INCORRECT.
The Indian women beat Nepal 78-40 in the final (not 54-36).
The scores for men and women are exchanged in the question. ✗
Only Statement I is correct. Answer is (a).
The first Kho Kho World Cup was held in New Delhi in January 2025, making it a major current affairs event for the 2025 exam cycle.
UPSC deliberately swapped the men's and women's final scores to test careful reading - Indian men won 54-36 while Indian women won 78-40, but the question reverses these scores.
The question tests both current affairs awareness and attention to detail, as only the venue statement is correct while the score statements contain factual errors.
First Kho Kho World Cup 2025
Art And Culture Kho Kho World Cup Delhi Nepal 78-40 54-36
First Kho Kho World Cup 2025: Key Facts & UPSC Traps
First Kho Kho World Cup held in New Delhi, January 2025
Venue: Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium
Men's final: India beat Nepal 54-36
Women's final: India beat Nepal 78-40
Organized by Kho Kho Federation of India
Historic Milestone
The first-ever Kho Kho World Cup marked the international debut of this traditional Indian sport. Held in January 2025 at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, it represented India's effort to globalize indigenous games and establish them on the world stage alongside cricket and hockey.
Tournament Results
Category | Final Teams | Score | Champion |
|---|---|---|---|
Men's | India vs Nepal | 54-36 | India |
Women's | India vs Nepal | 78-40 | India |
Tournament Significance
First global platform for Kho Kho - a traditional Indian sport dating back centuries
Nepal emerged as India's strongest competitor in both categories
Event demonstrated India's leadership in promoting indigenous sports internationally
Part of broader initiative to include traditional games in international competitions
Score Swap Trap: Statement II and III deliberately exchange the scores - Men's was 54-36, Women's was 78-40
Don't confuse with other recent sporting events held in Delhi
Remember it's the first World Cup - this historic nature makes it exam-relevant
Kho Kho Traditional Indian Sport
Art And Culture Kho Kho
Kho Kho: India's Traditional Chase Game
Ancient Indian tag sport involving chase and dodging
Played between two teams of 12 players each
Originated in Maharashtra, now played pan-India
Requires speed, agility, and strategic thinking
Game Overview
Kho Kho is one of India's most popular traditional sports, combining elements of tag, chase, and strategic positioning. The game requires minimal equipment but demands high levels of fitness, quick reflexes, and team coordination.
How Kho Kho Works
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Setup**
9 chasers sit in alternating directions, 3 defenders run in the field`"]
s2["`**Chase Phase**
Active chaser pursues defenders, can only move in one direction`"]
s3["`**Kho Call**
Chaser touches teammate and calls 'Kho' to change direction`"]
s4["`**Tag/Time**
Game continues until all defenders tagged or time expires`"]
s5["`**Role Swap**
Teams switch between chasing and defending`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Cultural Significance
Mentioned in ancient texts and practiced for over 2000 years
Promotes indigenous sporting culture as alternative to Western games
Included in Khelo India and various state-level championships
Featured in Asian Games as demonstration sport in recent years
Game Layout
Source: Sports and Physical Education — Understanding the Rules and Court Measurements of Kho Kho ... · sportsandphysicaleducation.com
Traditional Indian Sports Going Global
Art And Culture
India's Push to Globalize Traditional Sports
India promoting indigenous sports like Kho Kho, Kabaddi internationally
Kabaddi World Cup already established as global tournament
Part of cultural diplomacy and soft power projection
Khelo India program supports traditional games development
Strategic Initiative
India's effort to internationalize traditional sports serves multiple purposes - preserving cultural heritage, promoting physical fitness through indigenous games, and establishing India as a leader in alternative sporting formats that don't rely on Western models.
Traditional Sports International Status
Sport | Global Status | Key Achievement | Origin State |
|---|---|---|---|
Kabaddi | Established World Cup | Asian Games regular event | Punjab/Haryana |
Kho Kho | First World Cup 2025 | Federation established | Maharashtra |
Kalaripayattu | Demonstration events | UNESCO recognition sought | Kerala |
Mallakhamb | International federation | World Championships | Maharashtra |
Government Support
Khelo India program provides funding and infrastructure for traditional games
Sports Authority of India developing coaching modules for indigenous sports
Fit India Movement includes traditional games as fitness alternatives
International federations being established to standardize rules globally
Don't confuse Kabaddi (already global) with Kho Kho (newly international)
Traditional sports questions often test origin states - remember Maharashtra for Kho Kho
UPSC may ask about government schemes supporting traditional sports