Puri to Host 57th Senior National Kho Kho Championship from March 31

Puri: The 57th Senior National Kho Kho Championship will be held from March 31 to April 5 at the District Sports Complex in Puri, under the aegis of the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI). The tournament will see participation from 74 teams, including 30 state teams and institutional teams such as Airport Authority, Railways, BSF, Maharashtra Police, and CISF.

KKFI President Sudhanshu Mittal emphasized the federation’s commitment to expanding the sport globally. “Our vision extends beyond national boundaries. We are dedicated to transforming Kho Kho into a global sport. The championship in Puri is a step towards modernizing the game and showcasing its dynamic appeal,” he stated.

Odisha has been actively promoting Kho Kho, with a Kho Kho Academy and High-Performance Center operational in Puri for the past ten months, offering specialized training to young players. A proposal for a dedicated Kho Kho stadium at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, is also awaiting final approval.

Expressing enthusiasm about the event, Pradyumna Mishra, General Secretary of the Odisha Kho Kho Association, said, “We are excited to host the championship in Puri, a city with a growing sporting culture. This event will highlight top-tier talent and further boost Kho Kho’s popularity in India.”

The tournament is expected to play a crucial role in the sport’s development in Odisha and beyond. Earlier this year, India hosted the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup, where the hosts secured the maiden titles in both men’s and women’s categories at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on January 19.