The 44th Junior National Kho Kho Championship concluded in grand fashion at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium, Gunjur, with host Karnataka clinching the boys’ title after a long 16-year wait, while Maharashtra girls successfully defended their championship crown. Organised under the aegis of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) and hosted by the Karnataka State Kho Kho Association, the championship was held from December 31 to January 4 and showcased the finest emerging talent from across the country.
Boys’ Final: Karnataka Reclaim Glory at Home
In a thrilling boys’ final, Karnataka defeated defending champions Maharashtra 35–30 to lift the title. The hosts dominated the contest early, taking a commanding 23–12 lead at halftime and maintaining control despite a strong second-half challenge from Maharashtra.
B. Vijay starred for Karnataka with decisive defensive spells and attacking points, ably supported by Ibrahim, Jeevan Rathod, Jeevan K., and Aniket. Maharashtra fought back through Raj Jadhav, Hardaya Vasave, Parth Devkate, Jitendra Vasave, and Yogesh Pawar, but Karnataka’s composure ensured a historic victory, ending a 16-year title drought.
Girls’ Final: Maharashtra Hold Nerves in a Nail-Biter
The girls’ final between Maharashtra and Odisha turned into a high-octane thriller. Maharashtra led narrowly 14–11 at halftime, while Odisha staged a strong comeback to level the scores at 25–25 at the end of regulation time. In the decisive phase, Maharashtra displayed superior temperament and tactical discipline to edge past Odisha 34–33 and retain the championship.
Sneha Lamkane delivered a standout all-round performance, while Diksha Katekar’s attacking brilliance proved crucial. Odisha impressed throughout the tournament, with Archana Pradhan anchoring the defence and guiding her team to a commendable silver-medal finish.
Semi-Finals and Historic Podium Finish
In the boys’ semi-finals, Maharashtra edged Kolhapur 33–31 in a closely fought contest, while Karnataka outplayed Madhya Bharat 33–20. Madhya Bharat created history by finishing on the podium for the first time ever at the Junior Nationals, earning a joint bronze medal alongside Kolhapur.
In the girls’ semi-finals, Maharashtra defeated Punjab 28–14, while Odisha overcame Kolhapur 29–27 to book their place in the final.
Individual Awards Recognise Excellence
Outstanding individual performances were recognised with prestigious awards. Sneha Lamkane (Maharashtra) received the ‘Janaki Award’ as the Best Player in the girls’ category, while B. Vijay (Karnataka) was honoured with the ‘Veer Abhimanyu Award’ as the Best Player in the boys’ category.
Among the finalists, Diksha Katekar (Maharashtra) was named Best Attacker and Archana Pradhan (Odisha) Best Defender in the girls’ section. In the boys’ category, Raj Jadhav (Maharashtra) won the Best Attacker award, while Prajjwal Y. (Karnataka) was adjudged Best Defender.
Officials Highlight Grassroots Growth
Shri Sudhanshu Mittal, President of KKFI, congratulated all participating teams and said that the Junior National Championship serves as a vital platform for identifying and nurturing young talent across the country. Dr. M.S. Tyagi, Chairman of Organisation & Administration, KKFI, emphasized that such championships are essential for providing competitive exposure and instilling discipline, teamwork, and professionalism among young athletes.
Sri Lokeshwara, President of the Karnataka State Kho Kho Association, expressed pride in successfully hosting the event, stating that the focus was on smooth organisation, fair competition, and creating a positive experience for players and officials alike.
What’s Next
The championship reaffirmed Kho Kho’s strong grassroots presence across India. The 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship (Men & Women) 2025–26 will be held from January 11 to 15 in Kazipet, Telangana, followed by the 35th Sub-Junior National Kho Kho Championship (Boys & Girls) 2025–26 from January 31 to February 4 in Kurukshetra, Haryana.
The 44th Junior National Kho Kho Championship will be remembered for historic triumphs, thrilling finishes, and the rise of future stars of Indian Kho Kho.