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Puri (Odisha), April 4: The 57th Senior National Kho Kho Championship concluded in Puri today with Maharashtra clinching the Women’s Championship title after a nail-biting encounter against host Odisha, while Railways emerged victorious in the Men’s category, defeating defending champions Maharashtra in an electrifying contest.
Women’s Final: Maharashtra Edge Past Odisha in a Thriller
In the women’s final, Maharashtra edged past Odisha 25-21 in a high-octane contest. Odisha won the toss and chose to defend first, but Maharashtra launched a strong attack, restricting the hosts to just 2 dream run points. When it was Maharashtra’s turn to defense, they fielded a solid trio comprising captain Ashwini Shinde, Priyanka Ingle, and Sandhya Survase. Ashwini Shinde’s performance stood out as she held her ground impressively until the final 2 minutes and 50 seconds of the first inning.
At the end of the first inning, the scores were tied at 10-10, raising the stakes for the second half. In the second inning, Odisha’s defenders struggled to resist Maharashtra’s aggressive gameplay, with six defenders being ousted in quick succession. When Maharashtra returned to defend, Sampada More put on a stellar performance, holding her ground effectively and ensuring her team maintained the lead till the end, securing the victory at 25-21. The match featured several thrilling moments, including a remarkable skydive by Odisha’s Magai Majhi near the pole to dismiss Maharashtra’s Reshma Rathod, and a courageous dream run point earned by Archana Majhi, who stood her ground after teammates Archana Pradhan and Ananya Pradhan were dismissed.
Men’s Final: Railways Stun Maharashtra to Clinch Title
In the men’s final, Railways delivered a commanding performance to defeat defending champions Maharashtra 36-27. Maharashtra won the toss and chose to defend first, but the Railways’ attackers launched a relentless offensive, ousting nine defenders with a minute still remaining in the turn. By the end of the first turn of the first inning, ten Maharashtra defenders had been dismissed, giving Railways a commanding 20-0 lead. When Maharashtra came in to attack, Railways’ Rahul Mandal earned a dream run point, keeping the pressure on the opposition. In the second inning, Railways continued their dominance with a powerful attack, extending the lead to 35-13. During their final defensive turn, they showcased discipline and resilience, ultimately sealing the championship at 36-27. Notable moments included Ramji Kashyap’s outstanding defensive maneuvers, Railways’ captain Mahesh Shinde’s remarkable endurance on the field and holding the ground for an extended period, and Maharashtra’s Rudra Thopate executing a stunning skydive to dismiss Akshay Ganpule of Railways.
In the women’s category, Archana Majhi of Odisha was named Best Defender, while Maharashtra’s Reshma Rathod received the Best Attacker award. The Rani Laxmibai Award for Player of the Tournament went to Maharashtra’s Tanvi Bhosale. In the men’s section, Maharashtra’s Laxman Gawas was awarded Best Defender, Railways’ Rahul Mandal was named Best Attacker, and the Eklavya Award for Player of the Tournament was presented to Jagannath Das of Railways.
In the final rankings in the women’s category, Odisha is in second place and AAI is in third. Delhi stood in joint third place, followed by Kolhapur (5th), Gujarat (6th), Karnataka (7th), and Andhra Pradesh (8th). In the men’s category, Maharashtra finished as runner-up. Kolhapur secured the bronze (3rd place), Odisha (joint third place), Kerala (5th), West Bengal (6th), Andhra Pradesh (7th), and Karnataka (8th).
The championship, which kicked off on March 31 in Puri, marked several historic firsts. For the first time, all matches were played on mats, ensuring a standardized and professional playing surface. The tournament also recorded the highest-ever participation, with 40 men’s and 40 women’s teams competing from across the country.
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New Delhi: Making history in the Nepali sporting scene, Nepal Kho Kho Association hosts its first-ever national-level Kho Kho league – Dream Kho Kho 2025. It took place from April 5 to April 10 amidst the picturesque district of Bardiya, Lumbini Province.
The Dream Kho Kho Leaguefeatured 5 teams, and witnessed participation from around 60 players and 20 match officials including two referees from India. The league saw a total of 14 engaging matches.
The league's final standings are as follows: Winner: Natures Nest Tigers – NPR 2,50,000 + Hand-crafted Dream Kho Kho Trophy Second : Bikash Premi Black Buck – NPR 1,50,000 Third: Kanchan Gaidahawa Royals – NPR 1,00,000
Kho Kho, is gaining popularity in all seven provinces of Nepal. Although its popularity in schools is limited to 2–3 districts, district-level competitions are actively being held across Nepal and players are getting recognition—international-level Kho Kho players being recruited into the Nepal Army, for instance.
Bardiya, one of the two districts which have mat facilities in Nepal (the other is Kathmandu), was selected as the proud host to this first-ever League, following the success of the U-21 National Kho Kho Championships that took place in March 2024.
Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the International Kho Kho Federation, lauded the initiative:“The Dream Kho Kho League is a remarkable achievement for Nepal and a proud moment for the entire Kho Kho community. This league not only showcases the talent and passion for the sport in Nepal but also strengthens the foundation for Kho Kho’s global expansion. I congratulate all the players, organizers, and supporters who made this dream a reality.”
Kshatra Bahadur Shahi, Senior Vice President , Nepal Kho Kho Association, “The Kho Kho is gaining popularity in Nepal and youth are inclined towards it and look at it with hope. The Dream Kho Kho would prove to be an important landmark in Nepal’s Kho Kho Journey.”
“The aggregate financial outlay of the league comprised around NPR 50 Lakhs, demonstrating the increasing level of investment and support for Kho Kho in Nepal,” said Shahi.
With the Dream Kho Kho 2025, not only has Nepal made a big leap towards mainstreaming Kho Kho but also laid the foundation for subsequent editions that will work towards increasing the reach of the sport, both locally and globally.
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Sports has always held a special place in the hearts of Indians, uniting generations. Cricket, a national obsession, is a testament to the unwavering passion. The frenzy around every fixture, hero-worship of players, and the emotions tied to victories and defeats show how deeply sports shape our national & cultural identity. And while cricket dominates the spotlight, India’s sporting legacy extends far beyond, with indigenous sports that have thrived for centuries, rooted in traditional athleticism.
For instance, Kabaddi, a contact sport requiring strength and strategy, has gained global popularity with professional leagues and international tournaments. On the other hand, Mallakhamb, an ancient blend of gymnastics and yoga, is now practised worldwide for its fitness benefits. Martial arts such as Thang-Ta from Manipur and Silambam from Tamil Nadu are gaining recognition for their skill and discipline. These sports reflect India's deeply embedded athletic culture and showcase the country’s ability to influence the global sporting landscape, much like Japan did with Judo and Korea with Taekwondo.
History has shown how sports can unite a nation. A powerful example is how Nelson Mandela used Rugby to heal a divided South Africa. During the 1995 Rugby World Cup, South Africa was still reeling from the wounds of apartheid. Understanding the power of sports, Mandela wore the jersey of the mostly white national rugby team, the Springboks, and rallied black and white South Africans behind them. When the team won the championship, it wasn’t just a victory in sports—it was a moment of unity that symbolized a new era for the country. Similarly, Indian sports too have the power to unite communities and make a global impact.
With the right platform, sports such as Kho Kho can become a global phenomenon. The sport demands extraordinary agility, endurance, and strategic play, making it perfect for professional leagues. India has a talent pool to stand out on the world stage as seen at the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 where Indian Men’s and Women’s team were crowned champions.
Beyond cultural pride, reviving these sports can drive economic growth. Developing professional leagues, sponsorships, and training facilities can create jobs for our athletes, coaches, and sports managers, especially in rural areas. Investing in infrastructure, tournaments, and local sports clubs would inspire youth participation.
To make this a reality, we must aim to integrate these sports into school curricula, utilize media to build a fan base, and establish professional leagues with financial incentives. Upgrading sports infrastructure, ensuring world-class coaching, and pushing for inclusion in major international events like the Asian Games and the Olympics will further solidify India’s global presence. Hosting international tournaments can bring worldwide recognition and interest.
The simplest way for us to contribute is by watching and supporting these sports—whether by attending matches, tuning into broadcasts, or engaging with content online. The more people watch, the greater the demand, driving growth for these disciplines on a larger scale. With a rich interest in sports and immense talent, India has everything it takes to transform homegrown sports into a lasting global legacies.
