Ultimate Kho Kho secures Series A funding from BNP Group

Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK), India’s first-ever professional Kho-Kho league, has secured Series A funding from UK-based private investment firm BNP Group. It has become the first sports league in India to secure a private equity investment.

The Ultimate Kho Kho League is a joint venture (JV) between the Amit Burman-promoted Kho Kho Sports League (KKSL) and the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI).

KKSL, which is owned by Gyan Enterprises, aims to invest Rs 200 crore in the first five years of the league. Gyan Enterprises also owns 11.44% of Dabur India.

The franchise owners in the league include Odisha Sports Development and Promotion Company, GMR Sports, Adani Sportsline, Capri Global, Punit Balan Group, and KLO Sports.

The inaugural season of Ultimate Kho Kho, which was played in August-September 2022, had a viewership of 164 million across a spectrum of media platforms and 225 million video views on social media. With 41% of female viewers, the league proved the sport’s expansive and inclusive appeal in India.

“Keeping in mind the global ascendancy of indigenous sports, this partnership with BNP Group is a massive milestone for Ultimate Kho Kho and our plans to grow the league as a bigger commercial entity,” Burman said.”Together, we are poised to unlock newer opportunities, redefine the future of the sporting ecosystem of India, and contribute towards developing a multi-sport-playing nation. This investment will empower us to build a stronger, bolder platform that resonates with Kho-Kho fans worldwide.”Dr. Biswanath Patnaik, Founder and Chairman of BNP Group, said, “This investment by BNP Group in India, being the first of its kind, has already laid the foundation stone for the upliftment of grass-roots sports in India. Enamoured by PM Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a global sports powerhouse, I am determined to help Indian children adopt this indigenous sport, providing a platform for talented athletes to shine on the global stage.”

He added that BNP’s investment in the league is not just financial but also a testament to its commitment to fostering the growth and development of indigenous sports and creating a legacy that will inspire generations to come.

The Ultimate Kho Kho is poised for Season 2, having recently conducted a Player Draft where the nation’s top 145 players, including 33 young talents, were meticulously selected by six franchises in anticipation of the upcoming season.

 

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