“KHO KHO will gain popularity after Ultimate Kho Kho league”: Vijay Hajare

Does Kho Kho sound familiar to you? You may have played in your school, but what about this khel after school level?

After all, this is a sport that finds origins in the Mahabharata. Tactics from Kho Kho were used by warrior Abhimanyu to defeat the ‘Chakravyuha’ (more like a labyrinth formation to defeat enemies).

So, to find out why we know so little about Kho Kho, we decided to meet and interview a modern-day Abhimanyu, who chose Kho Kho as his career from his school days!

Vijay Hajare, an Indian national Kho Kho player also the team captain of Mumbai Khiladis which is owned by Punit Balan, Janhavi Dhariwal Balan and Badshah an Indian rapper at Ultimate Kho Kho league. The following are excerpts from our interview: -

Khel Samiksha: When and how did you start playing Kho Kho?

Vijay Hajare:  I used to play kabaddi until the 5^th standard and later took to Kho Kho. In my school, Govind Rao High School in Kolhapur Kho Kho was a sport that we played like professionals. That’s how my interest in the game started growing and soon I became very passionate about it.  My school had many international sportspersons so I decided I’ll play Kho Kho at a professional level.

KS:  What are your thoughts regarding the popularity of Kho Kho?

VH: After witnessing a good rise in the TRP of the league, broadcast by Sony networks, I think there is hope for youngsters to choose the game as a career. Publicity also helped break stereotypes of the game as one played by girls. The league played a major role in popularising the sport and we are planning to have a tournament twice a year.

KS:  What are the changes in the format of the game after the league? 

VH: The mat shrunk in the size. Normally, in the game there are 12 players and 8 players sit in. but now, 6 players sit in and we introduced a ‘wazir’ who moves freely along with the powerplay. These changes were required to make the game interesting.

KS: So, what are your views on the new format?

VH: People are liking this new format and we will adapt to the changes. It brings more entertainment. But there are challenges, as a defender it is difficult to cope with two wazirs and addition of powerplay. The duration got shorter and the pace of the game increased.

KS: How did you get adjusted to the new format? 

VH: It took some time to adjust. Kho Kho Federation of India selects only a few good players and set up camps for them. During these champs, we research how we can evolve our game. Such camp initiatives make it easier to adapt to the new changes.

KS: Any other practical challenges brought by the new format? 

VH: Playing on the mat makes us more prone to common injuries. At the international level Kho Kho is played on the mat and not on the ground. So, we have to adjust. Even in Kabaddi, there was a shift from the ground to the mat. Kho Kho clubs in rural areas may find it difficult to afford a mat.

KS: How is the media coverage for Kho Kho tournaments?

VH: DD sports covers Kho Kho tournaments in India but not live.

KS: Who funds Indian Kho Kho at the international level? Are there any sponsors?

VH: Kho Kho Federation of India, Government. No sponsors, yet.

KS: Do you receive any salary from Kho Kho Federation of India?

VH: Not really, as I play from the central railway team.  

KS: What are your thoughts on your upcoming tournament?

VH: Next tournament is in Gujarat and for this tournament, railway players are banned from playing due to financial aid. They wanted to give more chances to other junior players.

KS: Do you witness any politics in Kho Kho?

VH: A political scenario is rare to see. So, very less but when you fail to get selected you have to be optimistic.

KS: How do people react when you say you are a Kho Kho player?

VH: I have been playing Kho Kho for a long time. Through this journey, I got to know a lot of people and when I tell them that I am playing Kho Kho from central railway they get so happy for me. Kho Kho is known in Maharashtra and slowly we are getting the recognition we need. The most common reaction of people is positive.

Stay tuned for more further underrated sports talks!

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