Five days of national-level competition to bring India’s emerging Kho Kho talent to Parul University, Gujarat
VADODARA, GUJARAT | 14 October 2026: Vadodara is set to become a focal point of India’s junior Kho Kho landscape as the 45th Junior National Kho Kho Championship 2026–27 is scheduled to be held from November 21 to 25, 2026, at Parul University, Vadodara, Gujarat. The five-day national championship will provide a platform for emerging athletes to demonstrate their speed, agility, tactical intelligence, teamwork and competitive determination while representing their respective states and teams.
The upcoming championship marks another important occasion in the national Kho Kho calendar, bringing the spotlight onto the country’s junior talent pool. With the sport continuing to attract attention through its fast-paced gameplay and growing competitive ecosystem, the tournament will offer young athletes an opportunity to compete at the national level, gain valuable match experience and showcase their potential on a prominent sporting platform.
Vadodara Prepares for a National Showcase of Junior Kho Kho
The selection of Vadodara as the host city places Gujarat at the centre of the upcoming junior national competition. Parul University will serve as the scheduled venue for five days of action, during which participating teams will seek to establish their dominance through disciplined defence, precise chasing, rapid movement, strategic positioning and coordinated team play.
Junior national championships play an important role in the development of competitive sport by providing young athletes with exposure to high-pressure matches and opponents from different sporting regions. For Kho Kho, a discipline built around anticipation, reflexes, agility and split-second decision-making, these competitions also offer an opportunity to demonstrate the technical and tactical development of the next generation of players.
The 45th edition is expected to draw attention from athletes, coaches, state associations, sports administrators and Kho Kho enthusiasts as teams prepare for the challenge of competing for national honours. The championship will also provide an opportunity to celebrate the dedication of the players and the collective efforts of the coaching and support teams working behind their preparations.
Building on the Legacy of the 44th Junior National Championship
The upcoming edition follows the 44th Junior National Kho Kho Championship 2025–26, which was held from December 31, 2025, to January 4, 2026, at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Kreedangan in Gunjur, Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Organised by the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) in association with the Karnataka State Kho Kho Association, the previous championship featured approximately 1,000 junior athletes from states and Union Territories across India, according to the information provided. The tournament brought together young competitors for a series of closely contested matches, culminating in the crowning of champions in both the boys’ and girls’ categories.
The Bengaluru edition demonstrated the competitive depth of junior Kho Kho, with both finals decided by narrow margins. The results highlighted the importance of composure, teamwork, tactical execution and consistency at the highest level of junior competition.
Karnataka and Maharashtra Crowned Champions in 2025–26
In the boys’ category, Karnataka emerged as champions, defeating Maharashtra by 35–30 in the final. Karnataka’s victory reflected a strong performance in a closely contested title clash, while Maharashtra finished the tournament as runners-up.
In the girls’ category, Maharashtra secured the championship title, overcoming Odisha by the narrowest of margins, 34–33. The result underlined the competitive intensity of the girls’ final, with both teams pushing for victory until the decisive stages of the contest.
The reported final standings were:
| Category | Champions | Runners-up | Final score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boys | Karnataka | Maharashtra | 35–30 |
| Girls | Maharashtra | Odisha | 34–33 |
These results provide a competitive benchmark for the teams preparing for the next edition, although the previous champions will face a new challenge as the focus shifts to Vadodara.
Individual Excellence Recognised at the Previous Edition
Alongside the team championships, the 44th edition recognised individual athletes for their contributions and performances throughout the tournament. The awards highlighted excellence across all-round play, attacking ability and defensive skills.
Boys’ category awards
- Veer Abhimanyu Award — Best Player/All-Rounder: B. Vijay (Karnataka)
- Best Attacker: Raj Jadhav (Maharashtra)
- Best Defender: Prajwal Y. (Karnataka)
Girls’ category awards
- Janaki Award — Best Player/All-Rounder: Sneha Lamkane (Maharashtra)
- Best Attacker: Shruti Chormare (Maharashtra)
- Best Defender: Archana Pradhan (Odisha)
These individual honours recognised the players whose performances made a significant contribution to their teams’ campaigns. The awards also highlighted the different skills required to excel in Kho Kho, where attacking precision, defensive resilience, anticipation and all-round adaptability can influence the outcome of a match.
As the next championship approaches, emerging athletes will have an opportunity to create their own milestones and establish themselves among the country’s promising junior players.
A Platform for the Next Generation of Kho Kho
National-level junior competitions form an important part of the sporting development pathway. They enable young athletes to experience structured competition, test their abilities against high-quality opposition and develop the confidence required to perform under pressure.
In Kho Kho, success requires more than speed alone. Players must combine explosive acceleration with controlled movement, accurate pole turns, effective dodging, coordinated chasing and intelligent decision-making. Teams must also maintain discipline and communication throughout the contest, making tactical preparation and collective execution essential components of performance.
The Junior National Championship offers an environment in which these qualities can be tested and refined. It also creates opportunities for coaches and sporting stakeholders to observe emerging talent and assess the progress of junior players across different regions.
The 45th edition in Vadodara will therefore represent more than a contest for medals and trophies. It will be an occasion for young athletes to demonstrate their commitment to the sport, compete with pride and contribute to the continuing development of Kho Kho in India.
The Countdown to Vadodara Begins
With the championship scheduled for November 21–25, attention will increasingly turn towards Vadodara as preparations continue for the national competition. The sporting community will be watching to see which teams rise to the challenge, which players deliver standout performances and whether the previous edition’s champions can repeat their success.
Karnataka’s boys and Maharashtra’s girls enter the historical context of the tournament as the reigning champions from the 44th edition. However, the upcoming championship will present a fresh competitive opportunity for all participating teams, with the ultimate outcome to be decided on the field.
As the junior Kho Kho community looks ahead to the event, Vadodara is poised to host a celebration of athletic ability, teamwork, discipline and sporting ambition.
Championship at a Glance
- Event: 45th Junior National Kho Kho Championship 2026–27
- Dates: November 21–25, 2026
- Venue: Parul University
- Host City: Vadodara, Gujarat
- Previous Edition: 44th Junior National Kho Kho Championship 2025–26
- Previous Boys’ Champions: Karnataka
- Previous Girls’ Champions: Maharashtra
Vadodara, are you ready? The chase is about to begin.
As the countdown to the 45th Junior National Kho Kho Championship begins, the stage is set for another chapter in India’s junior Kho Kho journey — one defined by speed, skill, strategy, determination and the pursuit of national glory.