Mahakumbh of Kho-Kho in Bengaluru: 44th Junior National Championship starts from 31st December, competition of talent from across the country

Bengaluru: Around 35 boys and equal number of girls teams are expected to participate in the 44th Junior National Kho Kho Championship 2025-26, which will be held from December 31, 2025 to January 4, 2026 in Gunjur, Bengaluru. Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Puducherry, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Delhi are the union territories that are participating in the championship. Apart from the states, teams representing recognized Kho Kho associations like Kolhapur, Vidarbha and Central India will also compete for the title in the championship, which will be held on a league-cum-knockout basis.

All eyes will be on Maharashtra, which won the title in both boys and girls categories at the 43rd Junior National Kho Kho Championship held in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh from November 25 to 29, 2024. The pre-quarterfinal matches in both boys and girls categories will be held in the morning and quarterfinal matches will be held in the afternoon on 03 January. On January 04, the semi-finals will be held in the morning followed by the finals. Both boys and girls teams have been divided into 8 groups each.

Karnataka State Kho Kho Association president Lokeshwara said, “Apart from the referee, around 25 officials, including technical officials, coaches and association officials, have been deployed for the preparations and smooth conduct of the championship. Arrangements for accommodation and food for the players have been made within a 3-4 km radius of the stadium, and 10 buses have been arranged for their transportation.” The championship is being held at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium in Gunjur.

Sudhanshu Mittal, President, Kho Kho Federation of India, said, “It is a festival of Kho Kho in which young talents from across the country compete for the title. It is also a platform for junior talents to showcase their skills. Identifying and recognizing talent plays an important role in promoting the game and the players, as we wholeheartedly aim to include Kho Kho in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and Olympics.”

India will host the first Commonwealth Kho Kho Championship from March 9-14, 2026, while the 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship (Men & Women) 2025-26 will be held in Kazipet, Telangana from January 11-15, 2026 and the 35th Sub-Junior National Kho Kho Championship (Boys & Girls) 2025-26 in Kurukshetra, Haryana from January 31. Will be held from 2026 to 4 February 2026. Right attractive heading