Host Karnataka secured victory in the boys’ category of the 44th Junior National Kho Kho Championship, defeating defending champions Maharashtra 35-30 in a thrilling final. Maharashtra successfully defended their title in the girls’ category by triumphing over Odisha 34-33 in a high-intensity final at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium in Gunjur. In the boys’ semifinals, Maharashtra narrowly beat Kolhapur 33-31, while Karnataka outperformed Madhya Bharat 33-20. For the girls, Maharashtra emerged victorious against Punjab 28-14, and Odisha defeated Kolhapur 29-27.
Sneha Lamkane from Maharashtra clinched the ‘Janaki Award’ for the best player in the girls’ category, while B. Vijay from Karnataka received the ‘Veer Abhimanyu Award’ as the top player in the boys’ category. Diksha Katekar (Maharashtra) and Archana Pradhan (Odisha) were recognized as the best attacker and best defender, respectively, in the girls’ category. In the boys’ category, Raj Jadhav (Maharashtra) and Prajjwal Y. (Karnataka) were named best attacker and best defender, respectively.
The championship, held at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium in Gunjur, Bengaluru, from December 31 to January 4, showcased emerging talent and highlighted the grassroots growth of Kho Kho. Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), commended all participants, emphasizing the significance of the Junior Nationals in identifying and nurturing young talent. Dr. M.S. Tyagi, Chairman of Organisation & Administration at KKFI, stressed the importance of such championships in providing competitive exposure and fostering discipline among young athletes.
Lokeshwara, President of the Karnataka State Kho Kho Association, expressed satisfaction in successfully hosting the Junior National Championship, focusing on fair competition and a positive experience for all involved. Upkar Singh Virk, General Secretary of KKFI, highlighted the strong grassroots presence of Kho Kho across India, indicating a promising future for young athletes pursuing careers in the sport. The upcoming 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship (Men & Women) 2025-26 is scheduled for January 11-15 in Kazipet, Telangana, while the 35th Sub-Junior National Kho Kho Championship (Boys & Girls) 2025-26 will take place from January 31 to February 4 in Kurukshetra, Haryana.
