Nasreen Shaikh, continuing to live out her sister’s unfulfilled dream, is eagerly preparing for the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, which will take place in New Delhi from January 13-19. Her sister had aspired to represent India in Kho Kho but was unable to pursue her dream due to a lack of family support. Motivated by her sister’s encouragement, Nasreen not only took up the sport but also led the Indian team to a gold medal as captain at the 4th Asian Championships.
Now, as the second Arjuna Awardee in her sport, Nasreen aims to raise the stakes even higher by securing a World Cup gold medal. Her inspiring journey has been full of challenges, but her determination has helped her rise to the top.
Nasreen’s Kho Kho journey began in class three, fueled by her sister’s unfulfilled dreams. “My elder sister couldn’t pursue Kho Kho because our family couldn’t afford to support her in the sport. She was the eldest, and her dream was to play for India and win a gold medal. She couldn’t do that, so she encouraged me to take up the sport, and that’s when I decided to follow her path,” Nasreen recalls.
Coming from a modest background, with her father selling utensils in a roadside market in Shakurpur, Delhi, Nasreen didn’t let financial struggles or societal barriers stop her. Her hard work and achievements in Kho Kho earned her the prestigious Arjuna Award last year. Now, she aims to make her family and the nation proud by excelling in the upcoming World Cup.
The Kho Kho World Cup is a landmark event for the sport, and Nasreen sees it as a major opportunity for players to gain recognition. “I’ve always dreamed of playing in a Kho Kho World Cup, as it would give us the recognition and popularity we deserve. It’s a proud moment for all of us,” she shared.
Additionally, Nasreen praised the role of sports science in improving performance and reducing injuries. “Sports science helps us understand our fitness better, highlighting areas of weakness that could lead to injuries. It’s been a great tool for improving our overall fitness,” she added.
With the World Cup set to take place in India, following the success of the Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) league, the Kho Kho Federation of India hopes that one day the sport will be recognized at the Asian Games, just as kabaddi was two decades ago.
