Defending champions Maharashtra (Women) and Railway Sports Promotion Board (Men) once again stamped their authority on Indian Kho Kho as they clinched the respective titles at the 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship, held in Kazipet, Telangana.
In two high-octane finals packed with intensity, skill and drama, Maharashtra women secured their fifth consecutive title and 27th overall Senior National crown, while Railways men lifted their 13th national title, registering a second successive championship victory.
Maharashtra Women Continue Their Golden Reign 👑
Maharashtra women reaffirmed their dominance by edging past Odisha in a nail-biting final, winning 23–22 in one of the most closely contested matches of the tournament. The victory underlined Maharashtra’s unmatched consistency at the senior level.
- 🏆 5th consecutive title
- 🏆 27th overall Senior National Championship
Odisha women finished as runners-up for the second consecutive time, showcasing remarkable grit and resilience. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) secured the bronze medal, while Delhi claimed joint bronze.
A key highlight of the final was Maharashtra’s resolute defence. Sandhya Survase displayed exceptional composure by holding on to the mat for 2 minutes and 30 seconds, while Kho Kho World Cup captain Priyanka Ingle anchored the defence for 2 minutes and delivered a stellar attacking performance, scoring 10 crucial points. Odisha’s Archana Pradhan was equally impressive with her sharp defensive manoeuvres under pressure.
Railways Men Rule the Mat 🚆🏆
In the men’s final, the Railway Sports Promotion Board showcased their championship pedigree, defeating Maharashtra 26–21 in a thrilling contest filled with several nail-biting moments.
- 🏆 13th Senior National title
- 🔥 2nd consecutive championship win
Maharashtra men finished as runners-up for the second straight year, while Kolhapur clinched the bronze medal and Odisha secured joint bronze.
Maharashtra defender Pratik Waikar stood out with a superb defensive effort, staying on the mat for 1 minute and 55 seconds, while Railways’ Abhinandan Patil was outstanding in attack, playing a decisive role in the title-winning performance.
Awards & Individual Honours
Outstanding performances throughout the championship were recognised with prestigious individual awards:
- 🏅 Best Defender (Men): Pratik Waikar (Maharashtra)
- 🏅 Best Defender (Women): Archana Pradhan (Odisha)
- 🏅 Best Attacker (Men): Abhinandan Patil (Railways)
- 🏅 Best Attacker (Women): Priyanka Ingle (Maharashtra)
The coveted Ekalavya Award was conferred upon Ramji Kashyap (Indian Railways), while Sandhya Survase (Odisha) received the Rani Laxmi Award. Both players were also honoured as Best All-Rounders in their respective categories.
Consistency Across Editions
Both Railways (Men) and Maharashtra (Women) had also emerged champions at the 57th Senior National Kho Kho Championship, held in Puri, Odisha, from March 31 to April 4, 2025, making their title defence even more special.
Interestingly, Odisha women and Maharashtra men claimed silver medals for the second consecutive time, highlighting consistent high-level performances across editions.
Kolhapur (Men) and AAI (Women) once again secured third-place finishes, repeating their achievements from the previous senior nationals.
Officials Laud the Championship
Shri Sudhanshu Mittal, President, Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), praised the event, saying:
“The 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship in Telangana sets a new milestone for senior nationals. Right from organisation to participation, every aspect was outstanding. The level of energy and excitement was incredible and Kho Kho as a modern sport offers high-voltage entertainment to the audience.”
Upkar Singh Virk, General Secretary, KKFI, added:
“With such a large participation of teams from various states, UTs and Institutions, the senior national championship was really dynamic and representative. Matches were electrifying and I congratulate all the teams, players & officials for participating in the Championship.”
Dr. M.S. Tyagi, Chairman (Organisation & Administration), KKFI, congratulated the winners and noted that the healthy participation reflected the growing stature of Kho Kho across the country.
Host association president Shri Janga Raghava Reddy, Telangana Kho Kho Association, said:
“It has been an honour to host the 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship. It has been a monumental effort and it is a happy occasion to see the sport thrive in Telangana.”
A Celebration of Indian Kho Kho
Held from January 11 to January 15, the 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship witnessed spirited performances from teams across India, reaffirming the sport’s rapid growth, competitive depth and rising popularity. With dominant champions, close finals and standout individual brilliance, the championship truly celebrated the vibrant future of Indian Kho Kho.