Australia’s first dedicated Kho Kho ground was recently inagurated in Liverpool, Sydney, by Kho Kho Australia with a two-day celebration at Marsden Road Public School.
The opening ceremony began on 23rd May with an exclusive event for school students. Over 500 students gathered to witness a live demonstration of Kho Kho, showcasing the fast paced, traditional Indian sport on the brand-new ground here in Australia.
Esteemed guests at the event included Peter Rouse, Director of Leadership and Liverpool Principal Network, Department of Education NSW; Charishma Kaliyanda MP NSW; Nirav Sutariya, Consul and Head of Chancery at the Consulate General of India; and Manisha Gazula, School Principal. Their presence underscored the importance of cultural and sporting diversity in local education.
The 24th May event was open to the public and featured multiple demonstration matches that attracted widespread community interest and participation. Distinguished attendees included Mr. Sameer Pandey, Councillor and former Lord Mayor of the City of Parramatta; Dr. Rajiv Jairam, President of NSW HSS; Peter Harle, Deputy Mayor of Liverpool Council; and Manisha Gazula, Principal of Marsden Road Public School.
A key feature of this new Kho Kho ground is its world’s first innovation — a revolutionary removable Kho Kho poles mechanism that allows the poles to be easily removed, making the facility shareable with other sports. This flexible design maximizes the use of community sporting grounds and offers a scalable model that can be replicated across Australia to promote Kho Kho while supporting multiple sporting activities.
Kho Kho Australia is actively engaging with stakeholders in Canberra and Melbourne to roll out this innovative solution, aiming to expand access to the sport and foster greater community participation nationwide.
“Playing on this new ground has been an incredible experience. The facility is world-class, and the removable poles make it easy for us to train alongside other sports,” said Mudra Bhatt a Kho Kho player.
“It’s amazing to see Kho Kho gaining recognition and support here in Australia. This ground will definitely inspire more young players to take up the sport,” added Michael Limanuel, another enthusiastic Kho Kho player.
Varsha Tembe, Committee Member of Kho Kho Australia, commented, “This ground represents a milestone in promoting Kho Kho nationally. Achieving this just months after the World Cup in January is a testament to the dedication and passion of everyone involved. Our vision is to create accessible, multi-use facilities that not only celebrate this traditional sport but also foster community engagement and inclusivity.”
Kho Kho Australia’s initiative aims to promote the game of Kho Kho across Australia, encouraging community engagement, healthy living, and multicultural integration. The new ground at Liverpool stands as a landmark for sports innovation and cultural celebration in the region.
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