A TOTAL OF 38 men’s and 38 women’s teams representing 26 states, six union territories, four institutional bodies and three associate member associations will compete in the 58th Senior National Kho Kho Championship (2025–26), scheduled to be held from 11 to 15 January in Kazipet, Telangana.
In an effort to field the strongest possible squads while promoting unity and sporting spirit, India’s central paramilitary forces will compete this year as a combined Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) team. Players from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) will represent the same banner in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Similarly, the state police forces will take part under a unified All India Police Sports Control Board (AIPSCB) team. This squad will comprise players from the police forces of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Punjab.
The Union Territories taking part are Jammu & Kashmir, Puducherry, Delhi, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Chandigarh and Ladakh. The institutional teams include the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), AIPSCB and CAPFs. The associate member associations represented in the championship are Kolhapur, Vidarbha and Madhya Bharat.
The tournament will follow a league-cum-knockout format, with the pre-quarter-finals and quarter-finals scheduled for 14 January, followed by the semi-finals and finals on 15 January.
The previous edition of the championship was held in Puri, Odisha, from 31 March to 4 April 2025. The Railway Sports Promotion Board claimed the men’s title, while Maharashtra emerged champions in the women’s category.
Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI) president Sudhanshu Mittal said, “Best talents from all across the nation are competing in the Senior Nationals. Kho Kho is a modern competitive global sport that offers unmatched thrill and action-packed entertainment.”
KKFI general secretary Upkar Singh Virk added, “The matches will be in morning-afternoon sessions and flood lights have been arranged. There are 6 courts including 4 mat courts for the championship. The integration of sports science and technology in Kho Kho has given the game an edge and has elevated its stature.”
