Three KISS Players Selected for First-Ever Kho Kho World Cup 2025
to be held from January 13 to 19 at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium
In a proud moment for Odisha, three players from the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) have been selected to represent India in the First-Ever Kho Kho World Cup 2025. The historic tournament, scheduled from January 13 to 19, will be held at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, featuring teams from 24 nations.
After an intensive national coaching camp held in New Delhi from December 10, 2024, to January 10, 2025, Pabani Sabar (men’s team), Subhashree Sing, and Magai Majhi (women’s team) from KISS were included in India’s final squads. Their remarkable selection reflects the unwavering support and dedication of KISS towards fostering sports excellence.
As India unveiled its teams for the landmark event, it was announced that Prateek Waikar will captain the men’s team, while Priyanka Ingle will lead the women’s side. The Indian men’s team is set to face Nepal on the opening day, January 13, while the women’s team will clash with South Korea on January 14.
In addition to the players’ selection, Munni Joon has been named head coach for the women’s team, and Ashwani Kumar will mentor the men’s squad. These leadership roles are aimed at guiding the Indian teams to success in this global championship.
The announcement was made by Mr. Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India, alongside Major General Vikram Dev Dogra, CEO of the Kho Kho World Cup. The tournament’s diversity, with representation from continents such as Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, underscores Kho Kho’s growing international appeal.
Prof. Achyuta Samanta, Founder of KIIT, KISS, and KIMS, congratulated the players and expressed his immense pride in their achievements. He extended his best wishes to the players for their upcoming matches in the Kho Kho World Cup as well as for their future endeavors in sports.
Mr. Pradyumna Mishra, Secretary of the Odisha Kho Kho Association, and Mr. Kalandi Charan Rout, Head Coach of Kho Kho, KISS, also lauded the players and their coaches, acknowledging their hard work and determination. Mr. Sanjeev Sharma, Coach of the Odisha Kho Kho High Performance Centre, also congratulated the players on their selection and praised their determination and discipline. They commended the support provided by institutions like KISS and KIIT in building a strong sports ecosystem in Odisha.
The players expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Prof. Samanta Sir for his constant support and encouragement, as well as to Mr. Pradyumna Mishra, Secretary of the Odisha Kho Kho Association, Mr. Kalandi Charan Rout, Head Coach of Kho Kho, and Mr. Sanjeev Sharma, Coach of the Odisha Kho Kho High Performance Centre, for their invaluable guidance and mentorship. They credited their success to the collective efforts of their mentors and the robust support system provided by KISS and KIIT.