Uganda’s women Kho Kho national team that won bronze at the inaugural edition of the Kho Kho World Cup returned home safely on Tuesday, 21st January 2025.
The team traveled from India aboard Air Arabia and set foot at Entebbe International Airport by 1:30 PM.
They were well received by the president of Uganda Kho Kho Federation Hadijah Namanda, family members and the media.
Uganda Kho Kho delegation returns home at the Entebbe International airport arrivals | Credit: David Isabirye
Mustafa Nsubuga is hugged by Hadijah Nammanda at Entebbe International Airport
L-R: Sharon Oroma, Hadijah Nammanda and Harriet Apolot at Entebbe International Airport
“You are most welcome back home. Thank you for the effort to finish third and win bronze at the first ever Kho Kho World Cup. This is a statement that we cannot take for granted” Namanda stated.
“Now the effort to spread the game to the countryside in schools and other institutions” she added.
Hadijah Namanda, President Uganda Kho Kho Federation | Credit: David Isabirye
Team captain Sharon Oroma hailed the character and determination of her fellow players as well as the officials on the team.
“We are happy for the bronze medal won during the first edition of the Kho Kho World Cup in India. There were good deliberate preparations. The team showed great character during the World Cup with determination to win every game” Oroma, who is also a Cricketer remarked.
Sharon Oroma, the captain Uganda Kho Kho national team
Sharon Oroma shows off her bronze medal won at the 2024 Kho Kho World Cup
Sharon Oroma shows off her bronze medal won at the 2024 Kho Kho World Cup at Entebbe International Airport
Mustafa Nsubuga, the Uganda Kho Kho Federation Secretary General who also traveled with the team lauded the collective effort of the players, coaches, administrators and National Council of Sports.
“We trained for over two months and the players were ready. I thank the coaches and other Kho Kho administrators. National Council of Sports gave us blessings before departure and we are keenly awaiting for the formalities of registration for our federation” Nsubuga noted.
Mustafa Nsubuga, the General Secretary Uganda Kho Kho Federation | Credit: David Isabirye
The team head of delegation to India was Harriet Apolot, also the vice president for Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association (USSSA).
Apolot assures that this game will spread like a wild-fire through the different schools (primary and secondary).
Harriet Apolot, the head of delegation Uganda Kho Kho to 2025 World Cup in India | Credit: David Isabirye
“We have plans of spreading the Kho Kho game to the different corners of the country through the primary and secondary schools” Apolot remarked.
Uganda was flawless and determined in all the matches played at the Indira Gandhi stadium in New Delhi city.
Right from the grueling group stage matches, Uganda showed intent and courage to take on the world opposition, topping their group B pool, before winning the quarter final and fell at the semi-final level to Nepal.
At the group stages, Uganda won over Netherlands with a century plus score (102-10), England (30-45) and Australia (95-20).
Uganda only lost to Kenya in the groups to advance to the quarter finals as the best country in pool B.
At the quarter final level, Uganda easily marched to the semi-finals with a convincing 71-26 over New Zealand.
In the explosive semifinal showdown, Uganda fell to Nepal.
Uganda women Kho Kho national team players during the World Cup
Uganda women Kho Kho national team players dance during the World Cup in India
Uganda women’s Kho Kho national team with their bronze medals in India
Uganda women Kho Kho national team
Head coach Ephrahim Makubuya cited collective display from the players for the brave performance.
“The players followed the instructions given to them with keenness. Right from training, the players showed intent to play with passion” Makubuya, also a Kabaddi coach hinted.
Eprahim Makubuya, the Uganda Kho Kho head coach | Credit: David Isabirye
A number of players shone brightest during the different games as Grace Ojil, Rose Nankumba, Edinah Nattabi, Jemimah Zalwango, Sharon Oloma and others.
India won the men and women gold, overcoming Nepal in the final of either gender of the first historic Kho Kho world cup where all the 24 countries took part
Uganda women Kho Kho national team players dance
Uganda women Kho Kho national team players dance during the World Cup
Uganda women Kho Kho national team players dance during the World Cup
Uganda women Kho Kho national team players celebrate during the World Cup
Uganda women Kho Kho national team players celebrate during the 2025World Cup
Uganda women Kho Kho national team players celebrate during the 1st World Cup
Uganda women Kho Kho national team march at the World Cup
Team Uganda delegation:
- Head of delegation: Harriet Apolot
- Kho Kho Federation General Secretary in Uganda: Mustafa Nsubuga
- Head coach: Ephraim Makubuya
Players:
Sharon Oroma, Olivia Nalubega, Jovita Lubango, Edinah Nattabi, Emilly Nanziri, Dorothy Nagawa, Shirat Mirembe, Jemima Zalwango, Olivia Tuhaise, Norah Nabasirye, Grace Ojil, Eunice Awori, Priscila Nambazira, Rose Nankumba and Mellon Amvioko
Uganda in action during the 2025 Kho Kho World Cup at the Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi – India
What is all about the Kho Kho sport:
Kho kho is a traditional South Asian sport that date to ancient India.
It is the second-most popular traditional tag game in the Indian sub-continent after Kabaddi.
Kho kho is played on a rectangular court with a central lane connecting two poles which are at either end of the court.
During the game, nine players from the chasing team (attacking team) are on the field, with eight of them sitting (crouched) in the central lane, while three runners from the defending team run around the court and try to avoid being touched.
Each sitting player on the chasing team faces the opposite half of the field that their adjacent teammates are facing.
Kho Kho action between Uganda and New Zealand at the 1st Kho Kho World Cup
At any time, one player from the chasing team (the ‘active chaser’/’attacker’) may run around the court to attempt to tag (touch) members of the defending team, with one point scored per tag, and each tagged defender required to leave the field; however, the active chaser cannot cross the central lane to access the other half of the field, and cannot change direction once they start running toward either pole.
The chasing team can get around these restrictions if the active chaser either switches roles with a sitting teammate (by touching them on the back while saying “Kho”) who is facing the other half of the court and therefore has access to it, or runs to the area behind either pole and then switches direction/half.
Each team has two turns to score and two turns to defend, with each turn lasting nine minutes. The team that scores the most points by the end of the game wins.
The sport is widely played across South Asia and also has a presence in other regions with a significant South Asian diaspora, such as South Africa and England.
It is played most often by school children, and is also a competitive sport.
The first franchise league for the sport, Ultimate Kho Kho was unveiled in India in August 2022.
Uganda and New Zealand action in the 2025 Kho Kho World Cup
