Odisha AM/NS India Kho Kho HPC athletes dominate at the 44thJunior National Championship
Odisha Girls Team emerges as Runner-up in the tournament
Bhubaneswar, January 9, 2026: The athletes of the Odisha AM/NS India Kho Kho High Performance Centre (HPC) accomplished a remarkable feat at the 44th Junior National Kho Kho Championship 2025–26, held from December 31, 2025, to January 4, 2026, at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium in Gunjur, Bengaluru. A total of 16 athletes from the Odisha AM/NS India Kho Kho HPC represented different state squads, which includes seven from Odisha Girls team, six from Odisha Boys team, two from Kolhapur Boys team and one from Andhra Pradesh Girls team reflecting the centre’s growing national influence in elite athlete development. Their selection followed rigorous state trials and intensive preparatory camps, with Odisha’s training camp hosted at the HPC in Puri under the guidance of its expert coaching and sports science staff.
The highlight of the championship was the Odisha Girls Team finishing as runner-up, with seven HPC athletes forming the backbone of their side. Their spirited journey culminated in a nail-biting final against Maharashtra, where the match ended in a tie before Odisha narrowly missed the title in the tie-breaker, losing 34–33. Among the standout performers, Archana Pradhan delivered commanding performance throughout the tournament and was honoured with the prestigious Best Defender of the Tournament award. Alongside her, Lisarani Raita, Subhasree Mallick, K. Ramya, Ashika Kujur, Raktima Bhanda, and Chinmayee Pradhan demonstrated remarkable grit and composure, ensuring Odisha’s campaign was one of the most memorable in recent years.
The HPC’s impact extended beyond Odisha. Athletes Sharad Ghatage and Uday Padalkar played a pivotal role in guiding Kolhapur to a third-place finish in the Boys category, proving the adaptability and readiness of players nurtured at the centre. Their success was complemented by the tireless efforts of the support staff. Assistant Coach Shri Kinjal Vaghela, Physiotherapists Dr. Meghna Swain and Dr. Nayan Behera, and Sports Massage Therapist Shri Saroj Kumar Sahu worked closely with the Odisha team, ensuring peak performance, recovery, and injury management throughout the demanding tournament.
Reflecting on the collective achievements, Shri Sanjeev Sharma, Head Coach, Odisha AM/NS India Kho Kho HPC, said “Our athletes competing across different states, Odisha finishing runner-up, and Archana being recognised as the best defender – all these achievements together define the quality of our High-Performance Centre. These results validate our long-term vision of building technically sound, mentally strong, and nationally competitive Kho Kho athletes.”
The 44th Junior National Kho Kho Championship has reinforced the Odisha AM/NS India Kho Kho HPC’s reputation as a hub of excellence. Its structured training, holistic support, and high-performance culture continue to shape athletes who are not only excelling at the national level but also embodying the future of Indian Kho Kho.
