Nepal’s men’s and women’s kho kho teams have reached the finals of the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025 in New Delhi, India, marking the country’s first-ever appearance in a World Cup final in any team game.

Nepal’s teams advanced to the final from a pool of 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams. On Saturday, the women’s team, captained by Saraswati Kadayat, triumphed over Uganda with a dominant 89–18 victory in the semi-finals at the Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, securing their place in the final.

In the semi-finals, Puja Oad was named the best player, Deepa BK earned the title of best defender, and Uganda’s Nagawa Dorothy was recognised as the best attacker.

Nepal remained unbeaten en route to the final. During the group stage, Nepal secured victories over Germany (74–34), Bhutan (83–24), Sri Lanka (110–10), and Bangladesh (83–24), emerging as Group C winners. They then triumphed over Iran with a commanding 103–8 win in the quarter-finals.

In the other semi-finals on Saturday, India defeated South Africa 66–16, setting up a final showdown with Nepal on Sunday evening,

Shortly after the women’s team advanced, Nepal’s men’s team also secured their place in the final with a commanding 72–20 victory over Iran in the semi-finals. Led by captain Hemraj Paneru, Nepal delivered an outstanding performance. Janak Chand was named the best player, while Suraj Pujara received the best attacker award. Iran’s Mehrab was recognised as the best defender.

In the group stage, Nepal suffered a close 42–37 loss to India but triumphed over Peru (80–34), Brazil (134–8), and Bhutan (98–8). As Group A runners-up, Nepal overcame Bangladesh 67–18 in the quarter-finals. Nepal’s men’s team will now face India in the final after India defeated South Africa 62–42 in the other semi-final.

Nepal have previously won medals in kho kho at the 12th and 13th South Asian Games (SAG). Ahead of the World Cup, both captains had set their sights on winning a medal. Women’s captain Saraswati Kadayat aimed for at least a silver, while men’s captain Hemraj Paneru expressed confidence in securing a medal, highlighting Nepal’s strength in South Asia, behind only India and Bangladesh.

In the 13th South Asian Games (SAG) held in Nepal in 2019, the Nepali women’s kho kho team won a silver medal, having been defeated by India 17–5 in the final.

Nepal have the opportunity to avenge its South Asian Games defeat against India on Indian soil in the World Cup final. In the 13th SAG, the Nepali men’s team was denied a place in the final after losing to Bangladesh 24–23 in the quarter-finals. However, Nepal have already exacted revenge by eliminating Bangladesh in the World Cup quarter-finals. Nepal secured a bronze medal in the South Asian Games by defeating Sri Lanka 17–7, with India claiming the gold.

In the 12th SAG held in Guwahati in 2016, Nepal’s and women’s teams won bronze medals, while India took the gold and Bangladesh claimed silver.

Before heading to the World Cup, the teams underwent a month-long closed training session at the covered hall in Kirtipur.

Nepal’s men’s squad includes Hemraj, Janak, Suraj, Yemen Puri, Bed Bahadur Oli, Jhalak BK, Bikral Singh Ratgainya, Bishal Tharu, Rajan Bal, Jogendra Rana, Samir Chand, Bishwas Chaudhary, Rohit Kumar Barma, Bharat Saru, and Ganesh BK.

The women’s squad features Saraswati, Pooja, Deepa, Manmati Dhami, Khushbu Rana, Barsha Pandit, Gita Chaudhary, Asha Tharu, Deepa Kumari BK, Nisha Shahi, Karma Kumari Shahi, Kanchan Chaudhary, Punam Tharu, Samjhana BK, and Anisha Gole.