Kurukshetra, Haryana — The 35th edition of the Sub-Junior National Kho Kho Championship (Boys & Girls) culminated on 4 February 2026 at Keshav Park, Kurukshetra, with thrilling finals, packed stands, and some exceptional young talent emerging on the national stage.
🔥 Championship Overview
📅 Dates: 31 January – 4 February 2026
📍 Venue: Keshav Park, Kurukshetra, Haryana
🏸 Organised by: Haryana Sports Kho Kho Association under the aegis of Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI)
📣 Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini formally inaugurated the event and announced government support for a state residential academy and under-16 league, highlighting government backing for Kho Kho’s expansion and professionalisation.
Participation: Over 30 boys’ teams and 31 girls’ teams from across India—including states, union territories, and regional associate bodies like Kolhapur, Vidarbha and Madhya Bharat—battled over five days in group and knockout stages.
🏆 Boys’ Championship — Final Results
🥇 Champions: Odisha — Displayed explosive attacking and disciplined defense, clinching the title with an emphatic win.
🥈 Runners-Up: Kolhapur — Consistent throughout the week, Kolhapur pushed hard till the final whistle.
🥉 Bronze: Maharashtra — Strong performances in earlier rounds earned them a podium finish.
🥉 Joint Bronze: Uttar Pradesh — Equal efforts alongside Maharashtra in the semis.
👑 Boys’ Individual Honors
✨ Bharat Award (Overall MVP): Satya Ranjan Behera (Odisha) — Controlled tempo, made crucial dives & pulls.
⚡ Best Attacker: Gaurav Mane (Kolhapur) — Lightning speed with key tag-ins in crunch moments.
🛡️ Best Defender: Varad Pol (Maharashtra) — Exceptional tracking and game-reading under pressure.
🏆 Girls’ Championship — Final Results
🥇 Champions: Maharashtra — Commanded the final with tactical dominance and composure.
🥈 Runners-Up: Rajasthan — Showed heart and resilience throughout the tournament.
🥉 Bronze: Punjab — Strong run to secure a podium finish.
🥉 Joint Bronze: Haryana — Home support powered a tight campaign ending in Bronze.
👑 Girls’ Individual Honors
🏅 Ila Award (Outstanding Player): Aparna Varde (Maharashtra) — Influential in both attack and defense.
⚡ Best Attacker: Gunjan (Rajasthan) — Quick thinking and high scoring pressure.
🛡️ Best Defender: Rahi Patil (Maharashtra) — Timely tags and game awareness under fire.
🎖️ Leadership & Official Statements
KKFI President Sudhanshu Mittal praised the event, applauding the athletes and reinforcing the Federation’s commitment to boost grassroots Kho Kho development with better facilities, professional coaching, and talent pathways.
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini emphasised Kho Kho’s place in India’s cultural identity, committing funds and support for academy infrastructure and youth leagues to elevate the sport further.
🔎 Broader Context — Kho Kho Growth
🏅 The Sub-Junior Nationals function as a key talent pipeline feeding into major junior & senior levels, including championships and international competitions.
🌎 India recently hosted the first-ever Kho Kho World Cup (January 2025) with 23 countries competing — further evidence of the sport’s global traction.
📌 In Summary
🔥 A spectacular championship with future stars emerging, stunning athleticism, and fierce competition from every corner of India.
🥇 From Odisha to Maharashtra, these young athletes wrote new chapters in Kho Kho history.
🇮🇳 The sport’s grassroots strength continues to grow — driven by passionate players, committed federations, and supportive governance.