Karnataka crowned Boys’ Champions, Maharashtra clinch Girls’ title as 180 young athletes from 12 teams deliver three days of high-intensity Kho Kho action
Puri, Odisha | 31 August 2026: The Odisha AM/NS India Junior Kho Kho Championship 2026 concluded on Monday at the Kho Kho Academy, Puri, bringing an exciting three-day sporting spectacle to a memorable close. The first-of-its-kind championship brought together 12 teams and 180 young athletes across the Boys’ and Girls’ categories, creating a competitive platform for emerging Kho Kho talent from across India.
Held from 29 to 31 August 2026, the championship witnessed participation from teams representing Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Madhya Bharat, Kolhapur and Andhra Pradesh. Across three days of competition, the young athletes displayed impressive levels of speed, agility, tactical awareness, endurance, anticipation and determination, producing a series of intense encounters and closely fought matches.
The championship not only provided the participating athletes with valuable competitive exposure but also created an environment for young players from different states and regions to interact, learn and experience the demands of high-level Kho Kho competition.
The closing ceremony was graced by Prof. Prabhat Kumar Mohapatra, Vice Chancellor, Shree Jagannath Sanskrit University, Puri, as the Chief Guest. The ceremony was further honoured by the presence of Shri K. Ravi Kumar, Olympian & Arjuna Awardee; Ms. Suchitra Parida, Biju Patnaik Sports Awardee & Para Athlete; Shri Pradyumna Mishra, Vice-President, Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) & Secretary, Odisha Kho Kho Association (OKKA); Shri Vikas Yadvendu, Head, CSR – AM/NS India; Shri Chandan Kumar Sahoo, District Sports Officer (DSO), Puri; and Shri Santosh Kumar Sethi, District Public Relations Officer (DPRO), Puri, along with coaches, officials, athletes and other dignitaries.
Karnataka and Maharashtra crowned champions
The Boys’ Final provided a fitting climax to a highly competitive championship, with Maharashtra and Karnataka going head-to-head in a closely fought title battle.
Karnataka eventually emerged victorious by a narrow margin of two points, defeating Maharashtra 36–34 to lift the Boys’ Championship title. The match reflected the intensity of the tournament, with both teams battling relentlessly for every point. Karnataka’s ability to maintain its composure and execute its strategy in the crucial stages helped the team secure the championship crown.
Odisha finished in third position in the Boys’ category after defeating Kolhapur 30–22 in the third-place match.
The Girls’ Final saw Maharashtra deliver a strong performance against Odisha, securing a 24–20 victory to claim the Girls’ Championship title. Maharashtra’s four-point win capped an impressive campaign, while Odisha finished as the runner-up. Punjab secured the third position in the Girls’ category.
The third-place matches added further competitive excitement to the final day.
In the Girls’ third-place match, Punjab defeated Tamil Nadu 26–20 to secure the bronze position. Sneha Preet Kaur of Punjab was adjudged the Best Player of the Match for her performance.
In the Boys’ third-place match, Odisha defeated Kolhapur 30–22, securing its place on the podium. Saurav Nayak of Odisha was named the Best Player of the Match.
Individual brilliance recognised
Beyond the team titles, the championship also celebrated individual performances, recognising athletes who made a significant contribution to their teams and stood out during the tournament.
In the Boys’ category, Ibrahim of Karnataka was named Best Attacker, while Parth Devkate of Maharashtra received the Best Defender award. The Player of the Tournament honour went to Aniket of Karnataka, who impressed with his all-round impact and consistent performances throughout the championship.
In the Girls’ category, Tulsi Naik of Odisha was named Best Attacker, while Maithili Pawar of Maharashtra received the Best Defender award.
The Player of the Tournament award in the Girls’ category was presented to Sneha Lamkane of Maharashtra, who played an outstanding role in her team’s title-winning campaign.
These individual recognitions highlighted the depth of young talent on display during the championship and underlined the importance of competitive platforms in giving emerging athletes the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities.
A platform for the next generation
The Odisha AM/NS India Junior Kho Kho Championship 2026 was envisioned as more than simply a tournament. It was designed to create an environment where young athletes could experience high-level competition, learn from different playing styles, build confidence and develop the competitive mindset required to progress in their sporting journeys.
Speaking on the successful conclusion of the championship, Shri Sanjeev Sharma, Head Coach, Odisha AM/NS India Kho Kho High Performance Centre (HPC), said:
“This championship has been a tremendous learning experience for all the young athletes. The quality of competition, the intensity of the matches and the commitment shown by the players have been very encouraging. For young athletes, exposure to such competitive platforms is extremely important because it teaches them how to perform under pressure, adapt to different playing styles and compete with confidence. I congratulate all the participating teams, athletes, coaches and officials for making this championship a memorable success. I am particularly proud of our Odisha athletes for their fighting spirit and performance throughout the tournament.”
Shri Bapi Kumar Ray, Program Manager, Odisha AM/NS India Kho Kho HPC, described the championship as a landmark initiative for junior Kho Kho and highlighted its importance in creating meaningful opportunities for young players.
He said:
“The Odisha AM/NS India Junior Kho Kho Championship 2026 has been a landmark initiative and a successful first-of-its-kind championship. Bringing together 180 young athletes from 12 teams in Puri has created a wonderful environment for competition, learning and exchange. Our objective was to give young athletes an organised and meaningful platform where they could compete, gain exposure and experience the standards of a professional sporting event. The response from the athletes, teams, coaches and officials has been extremely encouraging. We are grateful to all the dignitaries, partners, officials and stakeholders who contributed to making this championship a success.”
Three days of competitive excellence
From the opening day through the final matches, the championship maintained a high level of competitive intensity. Teams battled for every point, while the young athletes showcased the fundamental qualities that define Kho Kho — speed, agility, anticipation, teamwork, strategy and determination.
The three-day competition provided players with an opportunity to compete against opponents from different sporting backgrounds and regions. Such exposure can play an important role in developing adaptability, tactical understanding and confidence among junior athletes.
For the young competitors, the championship represented an opportunity to experience the atmosphere and demands of a structured sporting event while testing themselves against some of the emerging talent from across the participating regions.
The tournament also reinforced the importance of grassroots competitions in identifying promising athletes and creating a pathway for them to progress towards higher levels of competition.
Celebrating sport beyond the field
The championship’s conclusion was marked not only by the crowning of the winners but also by a vibrant cultural programme that added a celebratory dimension to the closing ceremony.
Athletes, coaches, officials, dignitaries and guests came together to celebrate the successful completion of the three-day championship. The combination of high-intensity sporting action, enthusiastic youth participation, cultural celebration and the presence of eminent sporting and academic personalities made the closing ceremony a fitting conclusion to the event.
Puri, with its rich cultural and sporting environment, provided a distinctive backdrop for a championship that brought together young athletes from multiple states and regions.
A successful first chapter
With 12 teams, 180 athletes and three days of competitive action, the Odisha AM/NS India Junior Kho Kho Championship 2026 successfully delivered its objective of providing young athletes with a high-quality platform to compete, learn and showcase their potential.
When the final results were recorded, Karnataka emerged as Boys’ Champions, while Maharashtra were crowned Girls’ Champions. Odisha secured the third position in the Boys’ category and finished runners-up in the Girls’ category, while Punjab claimed third place in the Girls’ competition. Maharashtra also finished runners-up in the Boys’ category.
The final standings reflected the competitive balance of a championship in which teams had to combine physical ability with tactical awareness, teamwork and mental resilience.
But beyond the medals and trophies, the significance of the championship lies in the experience it provided to the next generation of Kho Kho players. For many of the young athletes, competing in Puri offered an opportunity to test themselves in a competitive environment, learn from their opponents and gain confidence for future challenges.
The first chapter of the Odisha AM/NS India Junior Kho Kho Championship has therefore come to a successful close in Puri — but for the young athletes who took part, the journey towards greater sporting excellence has only just begun.
Strengthening India’s Sporting Culture
The successful conclusion of the Odisha AM/NS India Junior Kho Kho Championship 2026 also reflects the continued commitment of AM/NS India towards building a strong sporting culture and nurturing young sporting talent.
Initiatives that provide athletes with quality training, competitive exposure and opportunities to excel are important in strengthening India’s grassroots sporting ecosystem. Sustained support for Kho Kho can help create greater pathways for young athletes while contributing to the growth, visibility and professional development of India’s indigenous sport.
The championship stands as another significant step in this journey, bringing together young players, coaches, officials and sporting stakeholders on a common platform and giving emerging athletes an opportunity to experience meaningful competition.
As Karnataka and Maharashtra celebrated their respective championship victories, the larger success belonged to the young athletes who stepped onto the Kho Kho court in Puri and competed with determination across three demanding days.
The Odisha AM/NS India Junior Kho Kho Championship 2026 has closed its first chapter with champions crowned, individual performances recognised and a new generation of players gaining valuable experience.
The chase for excellence has only just begun.