New Delhi, 7 Jan

A potentially exciting match between India and Nepal on 13 January will set the ball rolling for the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup to be played here at the Indira Gandhi Stadium.

The 13-19 January tournament will see participation from 39 teams in the men’s and women’s categories.

The men’s competition features 20 teams divided into four groups and the league stage will culminate on 16 January, followed by the playoffs beginning on 17 January.

The men’s final will take place on 19 January.

India are in group A that also has Nepal, Peru, Brazil and Bhutan. In the women’s segment, 19 teams have been divided into four groups. India are in Group A along with Iran, Malaysia, and South Korea. The home side will begin its campaign with a match against South Korea on 14 January.

Playoff format

The top two teams from each group along with the two best third-placed teams will qualify for the quarterfinals before the semis and finals pan out.

Teams and groupings

Men: Group A: India, Nepal, Peru, Brazil, Bhutan

Group B: South Africa, Ghana, Argentina, Netherlands, Iran

Group C: Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Korea, USA, Poland

Group D: England, Germany, Malaysia, Australia, Kenya.

Women: Group A: India, Iran, Malaysia, South Korea

Group B: England, Australia, Kenya, Uganda, Netherlands

Group C: Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Germany, Bangladesh

Group D: South Africa, New Zealand, Poland, Peru, Indonesia.