Bengaluru, Jan 5 (NationPress) The host state of Karnataka triumphed in the boys' division of the 44th Junior National Kho Kho Championship by achieving a nail-biting 35-30 victory against the reigning champions, Maharashtra, during the final match. Meanwhile, in the girls' competition, Maharashtra successfully defended their title by narrowly defeating Odisha with a score of 34-33 in a thrilling final held at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium in Gunjur on Sunday.

In the boys’ semifinals, Maharashtra narrowly defeated Kolhapur with a score of 33-31, while Karnataka showcased their strength against Madhya Bharat, winning 33-20. In the girls’ semifinals, Maharashtra overcame Punjab with a score of 28-14, and Odisha edged out Kolhapur with a close 29-27.

Sneha Lamkane from Maharashtra was honored with the 'Janaki Award' as the standout player in the girls’ division, while B. Vijay from Karnataka earned the 'Veer Abhimanyu Award' for best player in the boys’ category.

Among the finalists, Diksha Katekar (Maharashtra) received accolades as the best attacker, and Archana Pradhan (Odisha) was recognized as the best defender in the girls’ division. In the boys’ category, Raj Jadhav (Maharashtra) was named best attacker, and Prajjwal Y. (Karnataka) received the title of best defender.

The 44th Junior National Kho Kho Championship, which took place at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium in Gunjur, Bengaluru, from December 31 to January 4, highlighted emerging talent and solidified the sport's grassroots presence.

Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), expressed his congratulations to all participants, saying, “Junior Nationals serves as a crucial platform for identifying, nurturing, and promoting young talent, aligning with the aspirations of junior athletes across the nation and providing invaluable learning experiences.”

Dr. M.S. Tyagi, Chairman of Organisation & Administration at KKFI, emphasized the importance of such championships for athlete development: “Events like the Junior Nationals are vital for competitive exposure, instilling discipline, teamwork, and professionalism among young players.”

Lokeshwara, President of the Karnataka State Kho Kho Association, reflected on the successful hosting of the championship, stating, “It was an honor to welcome the Junior National Championship. Our focus was on ensuring fair competition and a seamless experience for all teams and officials.”

Upkar Singh Virk, General Secretary of KKFI, highlighted the significance of talent identification: “The widespread participation across the country indicates Kho Kho’s strong grassroots foundation. These young athletes are paving the way for a promising future, with an increasing number pursuing careers in the sport.”

The upcoming 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship (Men & Women) is scheduled for January 11-15 in Kazipet, Telangana, and the 35th Sub-Junior National Kho Kho Championship (Boys & Girls) will take place from January 31 to February 4 in Kurukshetra, Haryana.