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1,400+ Athletes Vie for Glory at 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship

The 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship has commenced in Telangana with a grand opening ceremony. Over 1,400 athletes from across India are participating, representing states, union territories, and institutional units. Federation President Sudhanshu Mittal expressed the ambitious goal of including Kho Kho in the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The tournament will progress through a league-cum-knockout format, with finals scheduled for January 15.

Key Points: National Kho Kho Championship 2025-26 Begins in Telangana

  • Over 1,400 athletes participating
  • Championship held at Railway Stadium, Kazipet
  • Features teams from 26 states & 6 UTs
  • Federation aims for 2030 Commonwealth Games inclusion
2 min read

Senior National Kho Kho Championship kicks off in Telangana with over 1,400 athletes

Over 1,400 athletes compete in the 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship in Telangana, aiming for Commonwealth Games inclusion by 2030.

"We have to be in the 2030 Commonwealth Games, and we will realise this dream. - Sudhanshu Mittal"

New Delhi, January 11

Over 1,400 athletes from all across India are participating in the 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship 2025-26 that kick-started here at Railway Stadium on Sunday.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by Irrigation Minister of Telangana N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Minister of Sports and Youth Services of Telangana Vakiti Srihari. The inaugural ceremony was a grand spectacle featuring a team parade, an impressive NCC march-past, and vibrant cultural performances.

Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were President of Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) Sudhanshu Mittal, Upkar Singh Virk, General Secretary (KKFI), Govind Sharma, Treasurer (KKFI), Dr MS Tyagi, Chairman, Administration & Organisation (KKFI), Janga Raghava Reddy, President of Telangana Kho Kho Association, N Krishnamurthy, Secretary, Telangana Kho Kho Association, as well as other officials and public representatives, as per a release from KKFI.

While appreciating the role of President of Telangana Kho Kho Association and all officials, in organising such a grand event, Sudhanshu Mittal, President, KKFI said, "I am really heartened to see such a grand Senior Nationals with such a huge participation. Athletes from every part of India have come. Every Kho Kho player has a dream in his eyes to see their sport reach great heights. We have to be in the 2030 Commonwealth Games, and we will realise this dream."

Sports Minister Vakiti Srihari said, "Seeing such a grand event, I feel like I am sitting in Delhi and not in Kazipet. Teams from all across India including North, South, East and West have come. I thank Shri Sudhanshu Mittal and Shri Upkar Singh from KKFI and Shri Janga Raghava Reddy, President of Telangana Kho Kho Association for making it possible."

"Kho Kho sport should be encouraged, and I assure that the state government will fully cooperate to make this Championship a grand success," said Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy.

The championship features teams representing 26 states, 6 Union Territories, 4 institutional units, and 3 Associate Member Associations, highlighting the vast reach and growing depth of Kho Kho across India. The matches are in league-cum-knockout format with pre-quarter and quarter-final matches on January 14, and semi-finals and finals on January 15.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Great to see traditional Indian sports getting a big platform. But I hope the focus is on the athletes and the sport, not just on political dignitaries giving speeches. The real heroes are the players on the mat.
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Aman W
Wow, 26 states and 6 UTs! Kho Kho truly unites the country. The league-cum-knockout format sounds exciting. Best of luck to all the teams, especially my home state Maharashtra! Let's go!
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Sarah B
As someone new to India, it's amazing to discover these indigenous sports. The cultural performances and NCC march-past mentioned must have been a wonderful spectacle. Shows the deep roots sports have here.
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Karthik V
Telangana is doing a great job hosting. The Railway Stadium in Kazipet is a good venue. Hope the state government's promised support includes better infrastructure for players in the long run, not just for one event.
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Nisha Z
So many memories of playing Kho Kho during PT period! 😄 It requires incredible speed and agility. Hope this championship inspires more schools to include it seriously in their sports curriculum. Jai Hind!

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