Raj Jadhav and Dhanashree Tamkhade Clinch Prestigious Individual Honours as Maharashtra’s Future Stars Shine in Solapur
Maharashtra’s next generation of Kho Kho talent showcased exceptional skill, determination, and sportsmanship at the 52nd State Junior Boys & Girls Kho Kho Championship and Selection Trials, where Dharashiv completed a remarkable hat-trick of titles in the Boys category, while Sangli successfully defended its Girls championship crown for the second consecutive year.
Organized by the Solapur Amateur Kho Kho Association and Kiran Sports Club under the aegis of the Maharashtra Kho-Kho Association, the prestigious championship was held at the Government Ground, Nehrunagar, Solapur. The tournament brought together the best junior Kho Kho talent from across Maharashtra and served as an important selection platform for future state-level representation.
Dharashiv Dominates Boys Category Once Again
Dharashiv continued its dominance in Maharashtra junior Kho Kho by securing a third consecutive Boys title. In a thrilling final, Dharashiv defeated Mumbai Suburban 32-26 while maintaining a lead of 2 minutes and 50 seconds.
The champions established control early in the contest, earning two crucial Dream Runs and building an 18-12 advantage by halftime. Their disciplined defense and effective attacking strategy helped them maintain the lead throughout the match.
Several players played key roles in Dharashiv’s title-winning campaign. Veersing Padvi delivered strong defensive performances, while Jitendra Vasave emerged as one of the standout performers with 3 minutes and 20 seconds of defense and 8 valuable points. Raj Jadhav once again demonstrated his all-round brilliance, while Hardya Vasave and Sotya Valvi contributed significantly in attack and defense to secure the championship.
Despite a spirited effort from Mumbai Suburban, led by Samarth Sawant, Aadesh Rathod, Aryan Chavan, and Sahil Wasnik, Dharashiv’s consistency and experience proved decisive.
Mumbai Suburban finished as runners-up, while Solapur and Pune shared the Bronze Medal position.
Sangli Retains Girls Championship
The Girls final witnessed another high-quality contest as defending champions Sangli overcame Thane 27-19 to successfully retain their title.
The first half was evenly contested, with both teams locked at 11-11 after earning three Dream Runs each. However, Sangli displayed exceptional composure and tactical discipline in the second half, gradually pulling away to secure an eight-point victory.
The Tamkhade sisters once again played a pivotal role in Sangli’s triumph. Dhanashree Tamkhade delivered an outstanding all-round performance, while Anushka Tamkhade contributed crucial attacking points. Strong support from Vaishnavi Chafe, Vedika Tamkhade, Vidya Tamkhade, Kritika Aher, Bhauramma Udgi, and Payal Tamkhade ensured Sangli successfully defended its crown.
Thane fought valiantly throughout the final, with impressive performances from Dhanashree Kank, Praniti Jagdale, Nidhi Jadhav, Guddi Rathod, Swara Salunkhe, and Prachi Wangade. However, Sangli’s superior second-half display proved decisive.
Thane finished as runners-up, while Dharashiv and Solapur shared the Bronze Medal position.
Individual Excellence Recognized
The championship also celebrated outstanding individual performances with special awards presented to players who excelled throughout the tournament.
Boys Awards
- Best Defender: Jitendra Dharmasing Vasave (Dharashiv)
- Best Attacker: Samarth Sanjay Sawant (Mumbai Suburban)
- Best All-Rounder: Raj Chandrajit Jadhav (Dharashiv)
Girls Awards
- Best Defender: Dhanashree Prakash Kank (Thane)
- Best Attacker: Anushka Abaso Khade (Sangli)
- Best All-Rounder: Dhanashree Vitthal Tamkhade (Sangli)
Prestigious Top Honours
The most coveted individual honours of the championship were awarded to two exceptional performers.
Raj Chandrajit Jadhav of Dharashiv received the prestigious ‘Vivekananda Award’ for Boys, recognizing his outstanding all-round contribution and leadership throughout the tournament.
In the Girls category, Dhanashree Vitthal Tamkhade of Sangli was honoured with the prestigious ‘Savitri Award’ following her instrumental role in helping Sangli retain the state title.
Grand Prize Distribution Ceremony
The championship concluded with a grand prize distribution ceremony attended by several distinguished guests, sports administrators, and dignitaries.
Awards were presented by Mahesh Gadekar, President of Solapur Amateur Kho-Kho Association; Dr. Prof. Chandrajit Jadhav, General Secretary of Maharashtra Kho-Kho Association; Sachin Godbole, Working President; Adv. Govind Sharma, Treasurer; and Ashwini Patil, Vice President.
The event was graced by numerous guests from the sports fraternity, local administration, and Kho Kho community, including former players, coaches, officials, and social leaders who have contributed significantly to the growth of the sport in Maharashtra.
A Bright Future for Maharashtra Kho Kho
The successful completion of the 52nd State Junior Boys & Girls Kho-Kho Championship once again highlighted Maharashtra’s strength as a powerhouse of Kho Kho talent. Dharashiv’s historic hat-trick in the Boys category and Sangli’s successful title defense in the Girls division reflect the high standards of coaching, player development, and competitive spirit present across the state.
With several young athletes producing exceptional performances, the championship provided a glimpse into the future stars who are expected to represent Maharashtra and India on bigger stages in the years ahead. The tournament not only crowned deserving champions but also reinforced the state’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of Kho Kho excellence.