Bojjam Ranjith, a Telugu Yoddhas kho kho player, is overjoyed to be a part of the Ultimate Kho Kho league’s inaugural season. Every story has ups and downs, and Ranjith fought against all odds to make a name for himself.
He was a member of the Indian team that won gold at the 2016 South Asian Games. The 32-year-old Warangal resident believes that hard work and determination can alter one’s destiny. “I started playing kho kho when I was in sixth grade.” Now that I’m playing Ultimate Kho Kho, I’m overjoyed to be working with Telugu Yoddhas.”
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He lost his father when he was young, and his mother raised him and his sister. She never discouraged him from pursuing his ambition. “My father committed suicide due to financial troubles when I was playing U-14 national School Games. It tore our family apart but my mother and sister supported me,” he said. When asked about his selection into the team the defender said, “Initially, the league selected best performers from the senior nationals and conducted camps. Based on our talent the franchises selected us.”
The Ultimate Kho Kho increased the game’s popularity. We hope to gain more exposure for the game, similar to what Pro Kabaddi has done for it. Apart from the traditional game, these leagues have adopted some exciting rules that make it more interesting for the audience,” Ranjith explained.
“We can see in rural pockets of the country the children are playing kabaddi with Pro Kabaddi rules; it is entertaining them at the same time the kids are practicing the game and bringing it to the limelight.”
