Davangere, Karnataka — Kerala and Karnataka stamped their authority in style at the 31st Senior South Zone Men & Women Kho Kho Championship 2025, held from October 24–26 at the District Stadium, Davangere. The three-day championship was jointly organized by the Karnataka State Kho Kho Association and the Davangere District Kho Kho Association, under the aegis of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) and the South Zone Kho Kho Committee.
The prestigious zonal event featured participation from six states and union territories — Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karnataka, and Kerala, showcasing 23 electrifying matches played on professional mats, in line with KKFI’s mission to modernize the sport while ensuring global standards of safety.
The championship was inaugurated on October 24 in a grand ceremony by Smt. Prabha Mallikarjun, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Davangere.
Men’s Championship Results
Kerala clinched the Men’s title with a nail-biting 30–27 victory over Karnataka in a thrilling final. Team standings were as follows:
- Kerala
- Karnataka
- Andhra Pradesh
- Telangana
- Tamil Nadu
Women’s Championship Results
Karnataka delivered a dominant performance in the final, defeating Kerala 40–6 to secure the Women’s championship. Final standings:
- Karnataka
- Kerala
- Tamil Nadu
- Telangana
- Andhra Pradesh
- Puducherry
Individual Awards – Men’s Category
- Best Defender: G. Dinesh (Telangana)
- Best Attacker: Mareshetty (Andhra Pradesh)
- Best All-Rounder: Adithya Patil (Karnataka)
- Upcoming Player: J. Allens (Tamil Nadu)
- Veera Madakani Nayaka Award: Bichu (Kerala)
Individual Awards – Women’s Category
- Best Defender: Kumari (Andhra Pradesh)
- Best Attacker: Jayashree (Tamil Nadu)
- Best All-Rounder: Kavya Krishna (Kerala)
- Upcoming Player: Manya (Karnataka)
- Onake Obavva Award: Chaithra B. (Karnataka)
The valedictory and prize distribution ceremony on October 26 was presided over by Sri Dinesh K. Shetty, Chairman of the Davangere District Kho Kho Association (DDKKA) and President of DHUDA, who lauded the players for their outstanding performances and praised the organizers for hosting a world-class championship.
The 31st Senior South Zone Kho Kho Championship concluded on a high note of sportsmanship, regional pride, and competitive excellence, reinforcing South India’s crucial role in the sport’s rapid evolution. The event once again echoed KKFI’s commitment to modernizing and globalizing Kho Kho — an indigenous sport now rising on the world stage with renewed energy and ambition.