Leading England on the Global Stage: Varun Harpale’s Kho Kho World Cup Journey

For Varun Harpale, representing his country at the Kho Kho World Cup wasn’t just a sporting milestone—it was a dream come true. As captain of the England team, he had the honour of leading his squad onto one of the sport’s biggest stages, an experience that felt almost surreal.

“It felt like a dream,” Varun shared in an interview. “The scale of the event was overwhelming. At one point, there were 5,000 people in the stands and 100,000 watching online. It was also televised on Indian national television, meaning my family could watch me play live on television. That was an incredible feeling.”

This tournament also marked a personal milestone for Varun. Whilst he had been captain of his national team for the past three years, this was his first time leading the international team at such a prestigious event—an honour that filled him with immense pride.

A Defining Moment on the Mat

When asked about his proudest moment in the competition, Varun recalled a standout performance in England’s group-stage match against Malaysia.

“I was defending, and I managed to run down the clock to zero, staying on the mat until the very last second,” he said. “It was an intense, high-pressure moment, but it felt amazing to execute my role perfectly.”

Preparing for the World Stage

Competing at such a high level requires rigorous preparation, both physically and mentally- and Varun’s training regime was intense.

“Physically, I focused on long-distance running, explosive workouts in the gym, and weekly team training. Leading up to the tournament, we had a seven-day training camp to refine our strategies and build team cohesion.”

However, physical preparation was only part of the equation. The mental aspect of the game was equally crucial.

“I’m a big believer in visualisation,” Varun explained. “I spent time picturing different game scenarios before they happened—before my flight to India, before stepping onto the mat. I wanted to live those moments in my mind first, so when they happened in reality, I was ready.”

Overcoming Challenges on the Big Stage

Despite the excitement, the tournament presented its fair share of challenges. England’s squad was the youngest team in the competition, and for many players, this was their first major international tournament.

“One of the biggest pressures was playing under the lights in front of such a massive crowd,” Varun admitted. “It’s easy to let the occasion get the better of you. The mental aspect of the game is huge, and managing nerves was a challenge for all of us.”

The Meaning of Kho Kho

For Varun, Kho Kho is more than just a sport—it’s a feeling of liberation.

“It means freedom,” he said. “When I’m on the pitch, I feel like I’m back in my school days, just playing for the love of the game. It’s an escape from everything else, from all the pressures and responsibilities of daily life.”

Lessons from Sport to the Workplace

Beyond the pitch, Varun has found that the lessons he’s learned from Kho Kho translate directly into his career in finance.

“In Kho Kho, teamwork is everything. If one player is out of sync, it disrupts the entire team. It’s the same in finance—if a single line item isn’t reconciled, it throws off the entire balance sheet.”

But the biggest lesson of all? Patience.

“I’ve been playing for ten years, and only now have I had the chance to represent my country on this level,” Varun reflected. “Good things take time. In work, just like in sport, you have to keep showing up, keep pushing forward, and trust that the results will come.”