Kenya’s 15-member team, featuring both men and women, is set to compete in the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, which kicks off today at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Delhi, India.
Speaking from India, the men’s national team coach, Simon Mbugua, expressed optimism about the team’s potential to make a strong impression on the global Kho Kho stage.
“Kho Kho is a new sport in Kenya, having started in 2016. It has sparked considerable interest, and we’ve been working hard to develop it. Now the real challenge begins as we aim to make our mark on the world stage,” Mbugua said.
The Kho Kho World Cup will feature 39 countries, with 20 men’s teams divided into four groups.
The men’s competition begins on January 16, with playoffs scheduled for the following day and the finals set for January 19.
Mbugua’s team is placed in Group D, alongside England, Germany, Malaysia, and Australia.
On the women’s side, Coach Brian Onyoo leads the Kenyan team, which is in Group B with Uganda, England, Australia, and the Netherlands.
The women’s competition will consist of 19 teams, split into four groups, with the top two from each group, along with the two best third-place teams, advancing to the quarterfinals, followed by the semifinals and finals.
The Kenyan delegation is also accompanied by Federation President Kantilal Velji, Secretary General Mical Oluteyo, Assistant Technical Director Perpetual Mbutu, and Team Manager Martin Ochieng.
Kenya is eager to leave a lasting impression on the global Kho Kho scene.
