KISS Students Make History in India’s Kho Kho World Cup 2025

The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, held in New Delhi in January 2025, marked a significant milestone in the evolution of the traditional Indian sport. Sanctioned by the International Kho Kho Federation, the tournament saw enthusiastic participation from 20 countries in the men's category and 19 in the women's category. In a remarkable display of dominance, India, the birthplace of Kho Kho, emerged victorious in both the men's and women's sections, remaining unbeaten throughout the competition.

Adding to this historic achievement, tribal students from the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Bhubaneswar played a pivotal role in India's success. Three outstanding athletes from KISS-Pabani Sabar (men's team), Subhashree Singh, and Magai Majhi (women's team)-earned spots in the national squads, showcasing their exceptional talent on the world stage.

KISS, a fully free and residential institute for 40,000 underprivileged tribal students, has made remarkable contributions to sports, particularly in traditional disciplines like Kho Kho. Under the visionary leadership of its founder, Prof. Achyuta Samanta, the institute has championed sports as a tool for empowerment and social upliftment, providing state-of-the-art training facilities and coaches in Kho Kho, including the Biju Patnaik Indoor Stadium.

This is not the first time KISS students have made a mark in Kho Kho. In 2022, four players from the institute were instrumental in Odisha's silver medal win at the Khelo India Youth Games in Haryana. As Kho Kho gains global recognition, the young athletes of KISS are determined to bring even greater glory to their country, further cementing the institute's reputation as a powerhouse for indigenous sports talent.