Railway Sports Promotion Board and Maharashtra Triumph at 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship

Champions Crowned at the 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship

In a thrilling conclusion to the 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship held in Kazipet, the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) and Maharashtra emerged victorious in the men's and women's divisions, respectively. This marks the second consecutive title for the Railways in the men's category, while Maharashtra celebrated its fifth straight win in the women's category.

The women's final was a nail-biter, with Maharashtra narrowly defeating Odisha 23-22. In the men's final, Railways secured a 26-21 victory over Maharashtra, showcasing intense competition throughout the match.

Both teams had previously claimed victory at the 57th Senior National Kho Kho Championship in Puri, Odisha, held from March 31 to April 4, 2025.

Notably, Odisha and Maharashtra both earned silver medals in their respective categories for the second time.

In the women's final, Maharashtra's defense was stellar, with Sandhya Survase holding her position for 2:30 minutes and Kho Kho World Cup Captain Priyanka Ingle maintaining her ground for 2:00 minutes, contributing significantly to their team's success with a total of 10 points. Archana Pradhan from Odisha also displayed remarkable defensive skills during the match.

For the men's final, Pratik Waikar from Maharashtra excelled defensively, remaining on the mat for 1.55 seconds, while Abhinandan Patil from Railways was a standout in the offensive play.

During the championship, Pratik Waikar was named the best defender in the men's category, while Archana Pradhan received the same honor in the women's category. Abhinandan Patil was recognized as the best attacker among men, and Priyanka Ingle earned the title for women.

Ramji Kashyap from Indian Railways was awarded the prestigious Ekalavya Award, and Sandhya Survase from Odisha received the Rani Laxmi Award, both also recognized as Best All-Rounders in their categories.

Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), remarked that the championship set a new benchmark for senior nationals, praising the organization and the high energy of the event. He emphasized that Kho Kho, as a modern sport, provides thrilling entertainment.

General Secretary of KKFI, Upkar Singh Virk, noted the dynamic nature of the championship, highlighting the impressive participation from various states and institutions, and congratulated all involved.

MS Tyagi, Chairman of Organisation & Administration at KKFI, commended the winners and acknowledged the healthy participation as a sign of Kho Kho's growing popularity.

Janga Raghava Reddy, President of the Telangana Kho Kho Association, expressed pride in hosting the championship, celebrating the sport's flourishing presence in Telangana.

The championship, which took place from January 11 to January 15, featured outstanding performances from teams nationwide, with Kolhapur finishing third in the men's category and Airports Authority of India (AAI) securing third place in the women's category, mirroring their previous achievements.