Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan inaugurated the 56th National Kho Kho Championship. Loktej Sports News

New Delhi, March 28 (HS). Former Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan inaugurated the 56th National Kho Kho Championship in a colorful program held at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in Delhi on Wednesday evening.

Indian Kho Kho Federation President Sudhanshu Mittal, Secretary General KS Tyagi, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh contact head Ramlal and Delhi MP and Vice Chairman of Organizing Committee Ramesh Bidhuri along with Chief Guest of the program Sumitra Mahajan presented the mascot of the 56th Kho Kho Championship. ‘Dhaakad’ also unveiled.

Addressing the players and coaches present on this occasion, Sumitra Mahajan said that the “grandmother” of all of you, who played Kho Kho and promoted this game, is in front of you today. Let us tell you that former Speaker of Lok Sabha Sumitra Mahajan has been an excellent Kho Kho player in her time. With his courtesy, India’s first Kho Kho stadium was built in Indore.

He said, “When we used to work hard in sports and used to watch other sports on Doordarshan, we used to wonder when will be the turn of our Indian sports. Our games just need a field and our children can play it. There is a feeling of love in Indian sports. When one gets hurt one falls in love with the soil. As we moved into the city, the playgrounds became fewer. We had to save the field. When others look at our field, we have to be alert.”

On the Indian Government’s plans to promote indigenous sports, Sumitra Mahajan said, “The Government of India started Khelo India to promote Indian sports. After this program many players have shown their talent in various sports. Kho Kho Federation President Sudhanshu Mittal is at the forefront of promoting this game and under his leadership the Kho Kho Federation has embarked on a new path. Promoting Indian sports is the priority of the government. We not only hope but also believe that in the coming times, Kho Kho will strengthen its identity in the world as an Indian sport.”

Indian Kho Kho Federation President Sudhanshu Mittal said, “We are thrilled to have Delhi host the 56th National Kho Kho Championship with such tremendous participation from across the country.

He said, “Kho Kho is not just a game, it is an emotion for the people of India. It is a cultural phenomenon that unites people. We are proud to provide a platform to talented players to showcase their skills and inspire the next generation of Kho Kho players.”

Ramesh Bidhuri said that this national championship under the aegis of Delhi Kho Kho Federation is an opportunity for the players to showcase their talent. He thanked Kho Kho Federation and Sudhanshu Mittal for realizing the vision of players coming from clay to mat.

RSS contact chief Ram Lal said that ever since India has been recognized abroad, Indian sports have also been recognized. In the times to come, Kho Kho will make its mark in the world. He said that Kho Kho game is a symbol of the unity of entire India. In the first match of the championship, Delhi defeated Haryana by 4 points. Before this, players from different states, union territories and many teams conducted a colorful march past to the tunes of the band.

The National Championship has a record participation of 73 teams comprising of more than 1300 men and women players from 37 States/Union Territories across the country. National Kho Kho Championship is being organized for the first time in Delhi.