Who are the officials in a kho-kho match?
A · Advanced · Fouls, ties and officials · 3 of 3A match has a referee, two umpires, a timekeeper and a scorer. The umpires move along the lobby at the edge of the field, call the fouls and make the attacker follow the rules. The referee has general charge, settles any difference between the umpires and alone may show a card.
How it works
- Referee: checks the ground and score sheets, takes the toss, gives the final decision if the umpires differ, penalises misbehaviour and announces the result.
- Umpires: move in the lobby, give decisions, declare fouls and compel the attacker to act within the rules. An umpire who steps into the field must go back at once without obstructing play.
- Timekeeper: starts the turn with a long whistle followed by a short one, ends it with a long whistle and calls each completed minute.
- Scorer-1: records the players, their performance, the scores and the result.
- Scorer-2: keeps the order of the defenders, seats those who are out and handles substitutions.
- At national championships: arm badges are issued for a referee, two umpires, two post umpires, a timekeeper and two scorers.
- Speaking to the referee: a player may address the referee only through the team captain.
- Protests at national championships: with a fee of 1,000 rupees, to a jury of appeals whose decision is final.
The glossary has the referee, the umpire, the timekeeper, the scorer, the lobby and the yellow card and red card.
Tricky cases
The two umpires disagree on whether a tag was legal. Who decides?
The referee gives the final decision "in case of any difference between them".
A player wants to question a decision. Can they go to the umpire?
Through the captain. During the game a player may address the referee only through the team captain, who is the spokesman for the players.
An official is taken ill during a turn. Is the match stopped?
No. The remaining officials manage until the end of the turn, and a new official then takes over if needed.
Who decides the winner of a minimum chase?
The referee, who alone keeps the time during that additional inning.
Why the rule exists
The chase runs the length of the court on both sides of the seated row, so one official cannot see it all. An umpire on each side follows the attacker and watches the feet and shoulders, and the referee is kept free to supervise and to judge conduct.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| National Club Games book | Referee, two umpires, timekeeper, one scorer (with a second scorer's duties also described) | KKFI Club Rules Part 4 |
| National championships | Two post umpires and two scorers as well | KKFI Guidelines 20 |
| Protests | 1,000 rupees; jury of appeals; final | KKFI Guidelines 9.5 |
| The modern format | Reported to allow team reviews of decisions | Not checked |
From the rule book
Kho Kho Federation of India, National Club Games Rule Book: Kho-Kho (undated), Part 4 and Part 5, rule 2. Kho Kho Federation of India, Competition Guidelines (version 3.3, updated to November 2025), sections 9.5 and 20. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the federation's rule book of kho-kho (current edition not published; the National Club Games rule book was used).