Host Karnataka claimed the boys’ title at the 44th Junior National Kho Kho Championship with a thrilling 35-30 victory over defending champions Maharashtra, while Maharashtra’s girls defended their crown defeating Odisha 34-33 in a nail-biting final at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium, Bengaluru. The January 5 finale showcased emerging talent reinforcing Kho Kho’s growing grassroots stature.
Karnataka Boys End Maharashtra’s Reign
Karnataka’s 35-30 boys’ final victory ended Maharashtra’s defending champion status through disciplined teamwork and home-ground advantage. The semi-finals saw Maharashtra edge Kolhapur 33-31, while Karnataka dominated Madhya Bharat 33-20—setting up the championship clash between India’s strongest Kho Kho regions.
Maharashtra’s girls proved consistency matters, successfully defending their title against resilient Odisha 34-33. The single-point margin demonstrated competitive depth emerging across states. Maharashtra reached the final defeating Punjab 28-14, while Odisha beat Kolhapur 29-27 in closely-contested semi-finals.
| Category | Champion | Runner-up | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boys | Karnataka | Maharashtra | 35-30 |
| Girls | Maharashtra | Odisha | 34-33 |
| Boys Best Player | B. Vijay (Karnataka) | Veer Abhimanyu Award | – |
| Girls Best Player | Sneha Lamkane (Maharashtra) | Janaki Award | – |
| Boys Best Attacker | Raj Jadhav (Maharashtra) | – | – |
| Boys Best Defender | Prajjwal Y. (Karnataka) | – | – |
| Girls Best Attacker | Diksha Katekar (Maharashtra) | – | – |
| Girls Best Defender | Archana Pradhan (Odisha) | – | – |
Individual Excellence Recognized
B. Vijay from Karnataka received the prestigious Veer Abhimanyu Award as boys’ best player, while Sneha Lamkane from Maharashtra won the Janaki Award as girls’ best player. Among finalists, Maharashtra’s Raj Jadhav earned Best Attacker honors with Karnataka’s Prajjwal Y. named Best Defender in the boys’ category.
The girls’ category saw Maharashtra’s Diksha Katekar recognized as Best Attacker, while Odisha’s Archana Pradhan claimed Best Defender—highlighting competitive balance across finalist teams despite Maharashtra’s ultimate victory.
The December 31-January 4 championship at Gunjur’s Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium provided vital competitive exposure for junior athletes nationwide. Sudhanshu Mittal, KKFI President, emphasized Junior Nationals’ role identifying, nurturing, and promoting young talent aligned with junior athletes’ aspirations.
Dr. M.S. Tyagi, KKFI Chairman for Organisation & Administration, stressed championships instill discipline, teamwork, and professionalism in young players—essential foundations for elite athletic development. Lokeshwara, Karnataka State Kho Kho Association President, reflected on successfully hosting with focus on smooth organization and fair competition.
For comprehensive Kho Kho coverage and Indian sports analysis, explore TechnoSports. Stay updated on upcoming championships through KKFI channels.
Upkar Singh Virk, KKFI General Secretary, highlighted pan-India participation reflecting Kho Kho’s strong grassroots presence, with more youth pursuing professional careers in the traditional sport experiencing modern resurgence.
The 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship runs January 11-15 in Kazipet, Telangana, while the 35th Sub-Junior National Championship is scheduled January 31-February 4 in Kurukshetra, Haryana—maintaining competitive momentum across age categories.
