Latest news with #UKK
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Kho-Kho players to join PM Narendra Modi in Independence Day celebrations
In a historic first for the sport, Kho Kho players will join Prime Minister Narendra Modi to partake in the Independence Day ceremony at the Red Fort on August 15. India's Kho Kho stars celebrate their victory at the Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi. Celebrating the burgeoning growth of an indigenous sport, PM Modi has invited 30 of India's best Kho Kho players, fresh off the country's triumph in the maiden World Cup held in January 2025 in New Delhi, as per a release from UKK. The inclusion of Kho Kho at such a significant national gathering also highlights how the government is elevating indigenous games. Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has explicitly advocated for Kho Kho's inclusion in the Asian Games and the 2036 Olympics, calling it a "collective effort" involving players, federations, and the Sports Ministry to boost its international footprint. The celebration also aligns with India's 2036 Olympic bid and the pitch to return Kho Kho to the Games exactly a century after its 1936 Berlin demonstration appearance. Fifteen of these 30 players will be part of the player draft of the new season of Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) beginning November 29. Since its inception in 2022, UKK with collaboration with Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) has provided a structured professional platform for Kho Kho, giving players regular high-level competition and access to better training resources. Its modern format, faster gameplay, and national telecast have helped rekindle public interest in the sport while inspiring a new generation of players across the country. In season 3, for the first time, the league will feature international players, underscoring the sport's growing global footprint. Speaking on the occasion, Pratik Waikar said, "Being invited to the Red Fort for Independence Day is one of the proudest moments of my life. Winning the World Cup earlier this year was historic for us, but this honour from the nation shows that Kho Kho is finally getting the recognition it deserves. With the sport now reaching audiences across the world and international players set to join us in UKK Season 3, it feels like Kho Kho is stepping onto the global stage in a way we've all dreamed of," as quoted from a release by UKK. Among those honoured are the World Cup-winning players Pratik Waikar, Ramji Kashyap, Sachin Bhargo, Suyash Gargate, Gowtham M K, Rokeson Khuman, Nikhil B, Pabani Sabar, Akash Baliyan, Aditya Ganpule, Siva Reddy, Subramani, Mehul, Aniket Pote and Sumon Barman, whose performances have energised the sport's momentum at home and abroad. With its fast pace, strategic depth, and deep cultural roots, Kho Kho has evolved from a schoolyard favourite to a professional sport with a growing international fanbase. UKK's expansion to include foreign players this season is seen as a crucial step in positioning the sport for both commercial growth and Olympic recognition.
India Gazette
05-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Ultimate Kho Kho appoints Dhiraj Parasher as CEO to lead global expansion ahead of Season 3 kickoff on November 29
New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK), India's first professional Kho Kho league, today announced the appointment of Dhiraj Parasher as its new Chief Executive Officer, a pivotal leadership move as the league prepares to welcome international players for the first time in its most ambitious edition yet, with Season 3 kicking off on November 29, according to a release from UKK. With talent from around the globe set to participate for the first time, Parasher's appointment comes at a strategic inflection point. UKK is looking to scale operations, attract global audiences, and deepen fan engagement, building on its reputation as one of the fastest-growing non-cricket sports properties in the country. Parasher brings over two decades of experience across sports, entertainment, consulting, and brand development. Known for his strategic acumen and innovative approach, he has held leadership roles at the Adani Group and Ernst & Young, and was instrumental in developing sports infrastructure and organising major events, including the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. Furthermore, Parasher has worked closely with federations, state governments, and franchise-led models to build long-term sporting ecosystems, including a significant contribution to grassroots sport development with the Government of Jharkhand during his stint with E&Y. Amit Burman, Promoter, Ultimate Kho Kho, welcomed the appointment, 'Dhiraj's leadership aligns perfectly with our vision to take UKK to the next level. His strategic mindset and deep-rooted knowledge of grassroots sport will help us scale UKK's reach, especially among digitally savvy fans, while staying true to the cultural core of Kho Kho,' as quoted from a release by UKK. Building on this momentum, Parasher will lead UKK's next phase of growth, driving strategic expansion, operational excellence, and stakeholder alliances with a mandate to establish the league as a globally scalable yet culturally rooted sports property. 'Ultimate Kho Kho is the culmination of India's ambition to take a traditional sport to the global stage,' said Dhiraj Parasher, CEO, Ultimate Kho Kho. 'As India prepares to include indigenous games in global platforms like the Commonwealth and Olympic Games, my focus is on building UKK into a league of global relevance -- one powered by international participation, cutting-edge broadcasting, and next-gen community engagement. Season 3 is a strategic launchpad -- a step towards making Kho Kho a scalable and exportable sport for the world,' he added. A Delhi University alumnus, Parasher is also known for championing sport-for-change initiatives and building inclusive, purpose-driven sporting platforms. His appointment is expected to further UKK's ambitions of being not just a professional league, but a national movement that inspires pride and participation in India's sporting heritage. (ANI)
Malaysia Sun
05-07-2025
- Business
- Malaysia Sun
Ultimate Kho Kho appoints Dhiraj Parasher as CEO to lead global expansion ahead of Season 3 kickoff on November 29
New Delhi [India], July 5 (ANI): Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK), India's first professional Kho Kho league, today announced the appointment of Dhiraj Parasher as its new Chief Executive Officer, a pivotal leadership move as the league prepares to welcome international players for the first time in its most ambitious edition yet, with Season 3 kicking off on November 29, according to a release from UKK. With talent from around the globe set to participate for the first time, Parasher's appointment comes at a strategic inflection point. UKK is looking to scale operations, attract global audiences, and deepen fan engagement, building on its reputation as one of the fastest-growing non-cricket sports properties in the country. Parasher brings over two decades of experience across sports, entertainment, consulting, and brand development. Known for his strategic acumen and innovative approach, he has held leadership roles at the Adani Group and Ernst & Young, and was instrumental in developing sports infrastructure and organising major events, including the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. Furthermore, Parasher has worked closely with federations, state governments, and franchise-led models to build long-term sporting ecosystems, including a significant contribution to grassroots sport development with the Government of Jharkhand during his stint with E&Y. Amit Burman, Promoter, Ultimate Kho Kho, welcomed the appointment, 'Dhiraj's leadership aligns perfectly with our vision to take UKK to the next level. His strategic mindset and deep-rooted knowledge of grassroots sport will help us scale UKK's reach, especially among digitally savvy fans, while staying true to the cultural core of Kho Kho,' as quoted from a release by UKK. Building on this momentum, Parasher will lead UKK's next phase of growth, driving strategic expansion, operational excellence, and stakeholder alliances with a mandate to establish the league as a globally scalable yet culturally rooted sports property. 'Ultimate Kho Kho is the culmination of India's ambition to take a traditional sport to the global stage,' said Dhiraj Parasher, CEO, Ultimate Kho Kho. 'As India prepares to include indigenous games in global platforms like the Commonwealth and Olympic Games, my focus is on building UKK into a league of global relevance -- one powered by international participation, cutting-edge broadcasting, and next-gen community engagement. Season 3 is a strategic launchpad -- a step towards making Kho Kho a scalable and exportable sport for the world,' he added. A Delhi University alumnus, Parasher is also known for championing sport-for-change initiatives and building inclusive, purpose-driven sporting platforms. His appointment is expected to further UKK's ambitions of being not just a professional league, but a national movement that inspires pride and participation in India's sporting heritage. (ANI)
