Around 35 boys’ and as many girls’ teams are set to participate in the 44th Junior National Kho Kho Championship 2025-26, taking place from December 31 to January 4 in Gunjur, Bengaluru.
The Union Territories of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Puducherry, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Delhi, along with teams from recognized Kho Kho Associations like Kolhapur, Vidarbha, and Madhya Bharat, will compete in the Championship on a league-cum-knockout basis.
Maharashtra, the winner of both the boys’ and girls’ titles in the previous championship held in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, in 2024, will be closely watched by fans and enthusiasts.
The Championship will feature pre-quarterfinal matches in the morning and quarterfinal matches in the afternoon on January 3. The semifinals and finals are scheduled for January 4, with both boys’ and girls’ teams divided into 8 groups each, as per the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI).
“Other than referees, 25 officials, including technical officials, coaches, and association officials, have been assigned to ensure the smooth running of the Championship. Accommodation and transportation arrangements have been made conveniently close to the stadium,” mentioned Lokeshwara, President of Karnataka State Kho Kho Association.
The prestigious event is being held at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium in Gunjur, providing a platform for young talents nationwide to showcase their skills and potentially pave the way for Kho Kho’s inclusion in major international sporting events.
