North-West University (NWU) nursing student Bonolo Precious Mogari and her teammates reached the semi-finals and secured a bronze medal for South Africa in the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 in India.

"It was an incredible experience to represent South Africa on such a global stage," says Bonolo. "I have been playing Kho Kho since I was 12 years old, and being part of the inaugural World Cup is a moment I will always cherish."

The competition, held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, India from 9 to 13 January, was supported by the Indian Olympic Association and featured 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams from 24 countries.

Kho Kho, a traditional South Asian sport, involves two teams of nine players competing in a tag-like format. "The game requires teamwork and strategy, with chasers passing the chase by touching their teammates' backs," Bonolo explains. "It’s a challenging but rewarding sport."

She says players are selected through indigenous games festivals with competitors competing at district, provincial and national levels before being chosen for international events.

Reflecting on the tournament, Bonolo highlights its significance for promoting indigenous sports on an international platform. "This was the first Kho Kho World Cup, and it was an experimental and exciting event. It’s amazing to see how the sport is gaining recognition globally.

"Representing my country was an honour, and I hope more South Africans will take up this sport," she adds.

Bonolo Precious Mogari and her teammates reached the semi-finals and secured a bronze medal for South Africa in the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 in India