In a thrilling showdown at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi, Maharashtra, hailed as the ‘Mother of Kho-Kho’, secured victory in both the men’s and women’s categories of the 56th National Kho-Kho Championship.
The men’s final match between Maharashtra and Railways kept the audience on the edge of their seats. With the score tied at 32-32 until the stipulated time, an intense third innings ensued. Railways started strong, defending against Maharashtra’s offense, but Maharashtra staged a remarkable comeback, sealing the match with a last-minute score of 52-50, leaving Railways no chance for recovery. The country’s top Kho-Kho players showcased their skills, captivating the audience with their exceptional performance.
In the women’s category, Maharashtra faced off against the Airport Authority of India in a thrilling encounter, ultimately triumphing with a score of 18-16. Sampada Maurya, captain of the Maharashtra team, played a pivotal role in securing victory.
Earlier in the day, semi-final matches were fiercely contested. In the women’s category, Maharashtra defeated Odisha 24-20, while the Airport Authority of India overpowered Delhi with a resounding score of 32-10. In the men’s category, Maharashtra edged past Kolhapur 30-28, and Railways narrowly defeated Odisha 24-22.
Both the men’s and women’s championship-winning teams from Maharashtra were awarded a prize of Rs 3 lakh each, while the runners-up received Rs 2 lakh each.
The closing ceremony witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Rajat Sharma, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of India TV, Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India, Sudhanshu Trivedi, Member of Parliament, Rajeev Mehta, President of the Asian Kho Kho Federation, and Amit Bhalla, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, among others.
Rajat Sharma emphasized the importance of promoting Kho-Kho as a cultural heritage of India and praised the efforts of Sudhanshu Mittal in advancing the sport. He highlighted Kho-Kho’s growing popularity globally, with the upcoming World Championship scheduled to be held in England next year, expressing confidence in India’s improved performance.
Indeed, Kho-Kho has witnessed significant growth, with the sport now being played in 137 countries, reflecting India’s prowess and potential on the international stage.
