The 44th Junior National Kho Kho Championship kicked off at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium in Gunjur, Bengaluru, featuring approximately 1,000 athletes from across India. The action-packed opening day witnessed around 40 matches in girls’ and boys’ categories.

Championship Overview

Detail	Information
Participants	~1,000 athletes
Supporting Staff	180
Technical Officials	100
Format	League-cum-knockout
Semi-Finals & Finals	January 3-4, 2026

National Representation at Gunjur

Teams from various states and union territories converged at the stadium, creating a microcosm of India’s sporting diversity. The championship provides young athletes a unique opportunity to interact, learn from each other, and showcase their talents on a national platform.

Former Minister Mr. H. Nagesh graced the inaugural ceremony as chief guest, alongside office bearers and executive committee members from the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) and Karnataka State Kho Kho Association (KSKKA).

Vision for Youth Development

Shri Sudhanshu Mittal, President, KKFI, emphasized the championship’s unifying power: “Teams from various States and UTs have come and it is like India represented in a microcosm. It provides a unique opportunity to these young athletes to interact among themselves and learn from each other.”

Sri Lokeshwara, President, Karnataka State Kho Kho Association, highlighted investment in youth: “These young talents have a bright future and we are providing players what is best in terms of training, facilities and handholding.”

Career Opportunities in Kho Kho

Upkar Singh Virk, General Secretary, KKFI, noted the sport’s growing appeal: “The Junior Nationals is a platform to identify and promote young talents. Youth are inclined towards making a career in Kho Kho as it offers opportunities and recognition as any other modern sport.”

Dr. M.S. Tyagi, Chairman, Organisation & Administration, KKFI, added: “It is great to see the young generation of athletes embracing this sport with such enthusiasm and energy. Junior National provides an important platform to these athletes to showcase their talents and make advancements in their careers.”

Upcoming Championships

The Kho Kho Federation of India has announced two additional national championships:

58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship (Men & Women) 2025-26: January 11-15, 2026, in Kazipet, Telangana

35th Sub-Junior National Kho Kho Championship (Boys & Girls) 2025-26: January 31 – February 4, 2026, in Kurukshetra, Haryana

With 180 supporting staff and 100 technical officials ensuring smooth operations, the championship demonstrates KKFI’s commitment to professional tournament management and athlete welfare.

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