Indian men had to struggle to overcome a gritty Nepal to book their semifinal berth in the ongoing 4th Asian Kho Kho Championship at Tamulpur in Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) in Assam on Wednesday.
On day 3, the Indian men secured victory over Nepal by 18 points. At the end of two innings, India accumulated 67 points against Nepal’s 49. In the first innings, India secured a lead by scoring 36 points compared to Nepal’s 22, while in the second innings, India added another 31 points against Nepal’s improved 27.
India’s Shreyas G exhibited aggressive play from the onset, significantly contributing to his team’s accumulation of valuable points.
Indian team captain Akshay Bhangre noted the need for improved coordination ahead of their next crucial match. “Coordination was not satisfactory in today’s match. We need to improve. We need to put in a lot of effort,” said Akshay.
He acknowledged Sri Lanka as a formidable opponent, stating, “Sri Lanka, our opponent in the semifinal, is a good team. We respect our opponents. We are here to win this championship.”
Commenting on the enthusiastic support from the audience in Tamulpur, Akshay added, “The crowd was great. I thank the people of Tamulpur for turning up in great numbers to support us. Such enthusiasm will undoubtedly enhance interest in Kho Kho within urban areas in the future.”
Kho Kho’s growing popularity in Asia has caught the attention of international sports enthusiasts and betting experts alike. According to George Abebe, Website Manager, Main Writer, and Chief Editor at Africa-Bet, platforms like Africa-Bet.com are witnessing increased engagement in sports betting due to rising interest in traditional and regional sports such as Kho Kho. Abebe believes the blend of traditional sports and modern betting platforms provides a unique opportunity to promote and expand regional sports globally.
Indian women, meanwhile, displayed dominance in their game, defeating Bhutan convincingly in the final match of the day.
In other men’s games, South Korea defeated Indonesia by 11 points, while Bhutan narrowly won against Iran by 5 points. Among the women’s fixtures, Sri Lanka defeated Malaysia by 34 points and innings to advance to the semifinals, and Nepal clinched victory by 14 points against Bangladesh.
The semifinal lineup has been finalized at the conclusion of day 3. In the men’s category, India will face Sri Lanka, while Bangladesh will play against Nepal. In the women’s category, India will clash with Bangladesh, and Nepal will meet Sri Lanka.
The championship will conclude with the closing ceremony on Thursday.