Category: Kho Kho

by Abhishek Shukla

UKK: Defending champions Odisha Juggernauts kickoff Season 2 with win against Rajasthan Warriors

Cuttack, December 24, 2023: Defending champions Odisha Juggernauts began the Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 with a commanding 35-27 victory over Rajasthan Warriors at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack on Sunday.

Akshay Masal contributed to the Odisha Juggernauts’ win by scoring 8 points, while Rohan Shingade, Avinash Desai, and Gowtham MK stayed on the mat for more than 4 minutes to take their team to the opening win of the season.

Promoted by Amit Burman in collaboration with the Kho Kho Federation of India, Ultimate Kho Kho became a huge hit in the first season, emerging as India’s third-largest non-cricket league in terms of television viewership. It also became the first Indian sports league to secure Series A funding, courtesy of the UK-based BNP Group.

The much-awaited second season of Ultimate Kho Kho was inaugurated in the presence of Tenzing Niyogi, CEO & League Commissioner, Ultimate Kho Kho, Sudhanshu Mittal, President, Kho Kho Federation of India, Tusharkanti Behera, Hon’ble Minister of State for Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha and Indian women’s kho kho team captain Nasreen Shaikh alongside Miss India 2020 runner-up Manya Singh.

The owners and representatives of six franchises, Srinath Chittoori (Chennai Quick Guns), Vinay Singh (Gujarat Giants), Punit Balan (Mumbai Khiladis), Ranjit Parida (Odisha Juggernauts), Jigar Shah (Rajasthan Warriors) and PKSV Sagar (Telugu Yoddhas) also attended the glittering opening ceremony.

In an intense first match, Odisha Juggernauts began the game positively as they claimed a total of 16 points during the first turn. They played equally well when they switched to defence and earned two dream points, allowing Rajasthan to get only 10 points in the first innings to strengthen their grip on the match.

Odisha were on top of their game in the second inning as well despite Rajasthan earning a dream run. The defending champions got 16 points in the third turn, while Rajasthan managed to pick up 17 points with Majahar Jamadar clinching 4 points through 2 skydives. However, it wasn’t enough to bring them back into the game.

Rajasthan Warriors will go up against Gujarat Giants on Monday, while Chennai Quick Guns will take on Telugu Yoddhas.

The exciting action of Season 2 will be telecasted on Sony Sports Network’s channels and SonyLIV with live coverage of daily two matches starting at 7:30 PM IST.

by Abhishek Shukla

UKK: Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 kicks off today, here’s complete guide

Cuttack, December 24, 2023: Ultimate Kho Kho is all set to enthral the fans as the second edition of India’s first-ever franchise-based Kho-Kho league will kickstart at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack later tonight.

Promoted by Amit Burman in collaboration with the Kho Kho Federation of India, Ultimate Kho Kho became a huge hit in the first season, emerging as India’s third largest non-cricket league in terms of television viewership. It also became the first Indian sports league to secure Series A funding, courtesy of the UK-based BNP Group.

As Ultimate Kho Kho once again gears up to bring edge of the seat action for the fans, here is a complete guide.

Dates: December 24, 2023 to January 13, 2024

Where to watch: Sony Sports Network’s channels and SonyLIV.

Matches per day: There will be two matches played each day with live coverage starting at 7:00 PM IST

Format at a Glance:

1. Match: Each match will be played with two innings. 

2. Batch: Agroup of three defenders who enter the field is called a batch. There will be four batches comprising 12 players in a defending team.

3. Innings: Each match will consist of two innings where both the teams will attack and defend twice with three-minute break between two innings.

4. Turn: Each innings will consist of two turns where a team will attack and defend once with two minutes of break between each turn 

5. Starting line-up: There will be 12 players, including Wazir, in the starting line-up with three additional players as part of the injury substitute.

6. Rest time: There will be a 30-second break after each batch is out i.e. all three defenders. This break will allow teams to make strategies and a new batch will enter. In a situation when all three defenders of a new batch fail to enter the play field before the 30-second break is over, the referee has the discretion to declare them out.

7. Batch playing format: If the attacking team fails to touch out all 12 defenders of 4 batches in the first innings then the batch/batches whose all 3 defenders remain not out will continue in the second innings during their defense in the same order. The sequence of rest of the batches may change. However, if an attacking team successfully touch out all 12 defenders of 4 batches in the first Innings then the defending team may change the sequence of order of batches in the second innings.

Points System:

1. 2 points: The attacking team will earn 2 points for every successful out. This is a change compared to last year in the point system.

2. Dream Run bonus point: If one batch defends for more than3 minutes,they will be given 1additionalpoint and then for each 30-second time period, they will keep getting 1 point until the entire batch gets out or the turn gets over. However, the additional 1 bonus point in attack has been removed in Season 2.

3. Match point: The winning team will get 3 points while both the teams will earn two points each in case of a tie. If the winning margin is 3 points or less, then the losing team will also get 1 point.

For the knock out matches, if the points are equal, one more innings (one turn for each side as attack and defense) will be played. If again the points are equal, an additional Inning will be played on a minimum chase basis.

4. Points table: The criteria for deciding league standings with multiple teams on the same points will be as per following options:

i)          More number of wins

ii)        The difference of total points gain and loss

iii)       Head to head

iv)        Minimum chase

Key Terms:

1. Wazir: A player taking part in the match as Wazir can move in any direction freely, unlike any other attackers, but only in his attacking half. Points will be awarded the same as a normal player if he captures any player. During the defense turn, only 2 Wazirs can play the game but during their Attack only 01 Wazir can play the game except in Powerplay.

2. Powerplay: The powerplay will allow teams in the attack to play with two Wazir on the field at the same time. However, two wazirs can be activated for one batch only. Once all three players of that batch are out, powerplay will be over. Each team will have only one powerplay in one inning.  

3. Review: Teams will have one review per innings i.e. two reviews for the entire match.

Team Squads and Details:

1. Odisha Juggernauts

Owned by: Odisha Sports Development and Promotion Company (OSDPC)

The Odisha Sports Development and Promotion Company (OSDPC)-owned team is collaborating with leading steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Limited (AM/NS India) and will be working closely in Ultimate Kho Kho.

Squad: Dipesh More (captain), Dilip Khandvi, Gowtham MK, Vishal, Omkar Sonawane, Rohan Shingade, Akshay Masal, Mahesha P, Manoj Patil, Avinash Desai, Manoj Kumar, Visag S, Debendra Nath, Nikhil Kumar, Vishal Oram, Sanjay Kumar V, Deepak Kumar Sahoo, Nikhil B, MD Mirajul, Sushant Kaldhone, Sobhag V Sriganda, Niranjan Samal, Savir Ahmad, Suresh Kumar and Siddheswar Tudu.

2. Mumbai Khiladis

Owned by: Punit Balan Group

The Punit Balan Group (PBG) headquartered in Pune operates in various sectors, including real estate construction, film production, sports, philanthropy, automotive, and cybersecurity. With a strong business presence in India, Dubai and Spain, PBG has made significant contributions across these industries. Group Chairman Punit Balan, a sports enthusiast, is committed to promoting Indian representation in international sports events, including the Olympics and other World Championships. Punit Balan is the only Sportsprenuer who owns nine teams in various sports leagues across India and globally.

Squad: Aniket Pote (captain), Gajanan Shengal, Sreejesh S, Mahesh Shinde, Subhasis Santra, Hrushikesh Murchavade, Rokeson Singh, P Siva Reddy, Govind Yadav, Avik Singha, Milind Kurpe, Sunil Patra, Sudheer Kumar, MD Aiman Pasha, Sagar Potdar, Rohan Kore, Komal, Pawar Sachin, Dhiraj Bhave, Debasis, Shiva, Ajay Kashyap, Pritam Chougule, Sibin M, Abhishek Pathrode and Parmar Rahul.

3. Telugu Yoddhas

Owned by: GMR Sports

GMR Sports, part of Indian-based infrastructure powerhouse, GMR Group, has already created robust grassroots level sports development initiatives in the national capital and NCR region. GMR Sports has picked the Telangana team, to tap on the popularity of Kho-Kho in South India and promote it further. They won multiple teams in various cricket leagues in India and globally.

Squad: Pratik Waikar (captain), Arun Gunki, Avdhut Patil, Adhithya Ganpule, Rahul Mandal, Nikhil Waghe, Milind Chavrekar, Akash Togare, Kiran Vasave, Dhruv, Prasad Radye, Rudra Thopate, Prem Randive, Vaibhav Nippane, Sourabh Adavkar, Vijaybhai Vegad, Anukul Sarkar, M Phani Kumar, Mahamad Ujer Harun Momin, Matlum, Lipun Mukhi, Arjun Bishukarma, Prasad Patil, Bojjam Ranjith and Rajat Malik.

4. Gujarat Giants

Owned by: Adani Sportsline

Adani Sportsline, a part of the Adani Group, is associated with many sporting leagues in the country with an overarching philosophy to inculcate a culture of sports at the grassroots level and create globally competitive opportunities for future champions. They have sports teams in multiple sports leagues including Kabaddi, Cricket and Kho Kho.

Through this association it is determined to contribute in creating an ecosystem that props up future sports icons and inspires the youth of the country.

Squad: Akshay Bhangare (captain), Abhinandan Patil, Suyash Gargate, Nilesh Jadhav, P Narasayya, Faizankha Pathan, Rajvardhan Patil, V Subramani, Deepak Madhav, Shubham Thorat, Gavara Venkatesh, Sanket Kadam, Kondhalkar Rupesh, Bharat Kumar, Pabani Sabar, Vinayak Pokarde, Ram Mohan, V Kabilan, Arnav Patankar, Alfaj H Nadaf, Vasave Ravi, Abhijit Patil, Saleem Khan, Vijesh Kumar and Harish Mohmmad.

5. Chennai Quick Guns

Owned by: KLO Sports

KLO Sports, co-owned by sports enthusiasts Sanjay Jupudi and Srinath Chittoori, who own successful business giants in the construction, automobile, and IT sector in India as well as abroad. With deep technology roots, KLO Sports also plans to invest in bringing this indigenous sport to households.

Squad: Amit Patil (captain), Madan, Ramji Kashyap, Laxman Gawas, Adarsh Mohite, Sachin Bhargo, Zora Suraj, Suraj Lande, Aditya Kudale, Durvesh Salunke, Chandu Chavre, Akash Kadam, Narendra Katkate, Mustafa Bagwan, Arjun Singh, Vijay Shinde, Ashish Patel, M Mugilan, Akash Balyan, Sumon Barman, Pavan Kumar and Giri S.

6. Rajasthan Warriors

Owned by: Capri Global Group

Capri Global Group, a leading financial service conglomerate, has created a niche in the financial market, and amongst others, has Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Housing Finance Company (HFC). Its NBFC, Capri Global Capital Limited (CGCL) is listed on the BSE and NSE and is part of the NIFTY Smallcap 250 Index. Capri Global also possesses a franchise in multiple Cricket leagues. They are keen on giving the indigenous sport kho-kho a makeover and popularization.  

Squad: Majahar Jamadar (captain), Akshay Ganpule, Dilrajsing Sengar, Vijay Hajare, Jaggannath Das, Rushab Wagh, Nilesh Patil, Prajwal K H, Brahmane Vivek, Ranjan Shetty, Rejeti Surinaidu, Sourabh Gadge, Nandan D, Ganesh Borkar, Bika Chetan, Buchannagari Raju, Dhanraj P, Jagannath Murmu, Aditya Shelke, Mukesh Prajapat, Vaibhav More and Aditya KN.

by Abhishek Shukla

Season 2 of Ultimate Kho Kho returns | Schedule| Telecast

After an electrifying Season 1 of Ultimate Kho Kho, the high-adrenaline and action-packed league is back to captivate fans in its eagerly awaited second season, which will kick-off on Sony Sports Network from 24th December 2023. With the broadcast of an indigenous sport in five languages, English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu & Marathi, Sony Sports Network aims to provide a platform for a game rooted in Indian soil and help the players across every corner of the country to showcase their talent. 
The inaugural season of Ultimate Kho Kho displayed intensely competitive matches with Telugu Yoddhas and Odisha Juggernauts meeting each other in a gripping final. Suraj Lande’s breathtaking skydive helped Odisha Juggernauts become the first-ever champions of Ultimate Kho Kho after beating Telugu Yoddhas 46-45. 
The upcoming edition of the league promises an elevated level of action and drama, featuring an array of stellar players including Dipesh More (Odisha Juggernauts), Abhinandan Patil (Gujarat Giants), Pratik Waikar (Telugu Yoddhas), Ramji Kashyap (Chennai Quick Guns), Sreejesh S (Mumbai Khiladis) and Akshay Ganpule (Rajasthan Warriors). 
The season commences on Sunday, December 24, 7:00 PM onwards in Cuttack, Odisha. The top four teams will battle it out in the semi-finals on 11th January 2024 with the Grand Finale of the competition taking place on 13th January 2024. 

All the matches from Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 will be telecast on Sony Sports Ten 1 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi & Marathi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil & Telugu) and streamed live on Sony LIV.

Date  Time (IST)  Match Details  
24/12/23  19:00  Odisha Juggernauts vs. Rajasthan Warriors  
24/12/23  20:45  Telugu Yoddhas vs. Mumbai Khiladis  
25/12/23  19:00  Rajasthan Warriors vs. Gujarat Giants  
25/12/23  20:45  Chennai Quick Guns vs. Telugu Yoddhas  
26/12/23  19:00  Gujarat Giants vs. Mumbai Khiladis  
26/12/23  20:45  Odisha Juggernauts vs. Chennai Quick Guns  
27/12/23  19:00  Telugu Yoddhas vs. Rajasthan Warriors  
27/12/23  20:45  Mumbai Khiladis vs. Odisha Juggernauts  
29/12/23  19:00  Rajasthan Warriors vs. Chennai Quick Guns  
29/12/23  20:45  Gujarat Giants vs. Telugu Yoddhas  
30/12/23  19:00  Chennai Quick Guns vs. Mumbai Khiladis  
30/12/23  20:45  Odisha Juggernauts vs. Gujarat Giants  
31/12/23  19:00  Telugu Yoddhas vs. Odisha Juggernauts  
31/12/23  20:45  Rajasthan Warriors vs. Mumbai Khiladis  
01/01/24  19:00  Gujarat Giants vs. Chennai Quick Guns  
01/01/24  20:45  Rajasthan Warriors vs. Telugu Yoddhas  
02/01/24  19:00  Chennai Quick Guns vs. Odisha Juggernauts  
02/01/24  20:45  Mumbai Khiladis vs. Gujarat Giants  
03/01/24  19:00  Mumbai Khiladis vs. Telugu Yoddhas  
03/01/24  20:45  Rajasthan Warriors vs. Odisha Juggernauts  
05/01/24  19:00  Telugu Yoddhas vs. Chennai Quick Guns  
05/01/24  20:45  Gujarat Giants vs. Rajasthan Warriors  
06/01/24  19:00  Gujarat Giants vs. Odisha Juggernauts  
06/01/24  20:45  Mumbai Khiladis vs. Chennai Quick Guns  
07/01/24  19:00  Mumbai Khiladis vs. Rajasthan Warriors  
07/01/24  20:45  Odisha Juggernauts vs. Telugu Yoddhas  
08/01/24  19:00  Telugu Yoddhas vs. Gujarat Giants  
08/01/24  20:45  Chennai Quick Guns vs. Rajasthan Warriors  
09/01/24  19:00  Odisha Juggernauts vs. Mumbai Khiladis  
09/01/24  20:45  Chennai Quick Guns vs. Gujarat Giants  
11/01/24  19:00  Semi Final 1 – 2nd vs. 3rd  
11/01/24  20:45  Semi Final 2 – 1st vs. 4th  
13/01/24  20:00  3rd Place  
13/01/24  20:00  Final  
by Abhishek Shukla

UKK: Rajasthan Warriors Announce Captain and Vice-Captain for Second Season of Ultimate Kho Kho League

Cuttack, 23rd December 2023: After a long wait, the second season of the Ultimate Kho-Kho League is finally here and kicking off on December 24, 2023, with the final having been scheduled for 13 January 2024. The tournament, which promises to be bigger and better this time around, will see the Rajasthan Warriors commence their season against the Gujarat Giants on December 25.

Taking the reins as the captain for the Rajasthan Warriors — owned by Capri Sports — will be Majahar Jamadar, who hails from Kolhapur in Maharashtra. The star attacker, who was with the Warriors in season one as well, started playing Kho Kho at a very young age and has built himself into one of the best players around. He won the Gold Medal in the Senior Nationals in his hometown Ichalkaranji, and soon, went on to win five more. Having chosen Kho Kho because of the sport’s game spirit, discipline and strong mental power, Jamadar will play a key role in leading his team this time around, an aspect of his game that he is looking forward to.

“It is a proud moment for me to represent the Rajasthan Warriors in the Ultimate Kho Kho League and now captain the team as well. I feel confident that the team management have chosen me to lead the side for season two, and with the help of my teammates and everyone on the coaching staff, I hope to lead the team to glory in this season and the seasons to come,” he said after receiving the captainship of the team.

Meanwhile, Akshay Ganpule has been chosen as the deputy to Majahar Jamadar. The 24-year-old from Pune, Maharashtra, will continue in his second season in the Ultimate Kho-Kho League with the Warriors. In the 10 matches in the first season of the Ultimate Kho Kho League, he scored 24 points, with seven Total Dives and 2 Sky Dives to his name. He also has an average Touch Point of 0.8. His achievements include a Gold Medal at the South Asian Games, two-time Gold and Silver Medallist in the Senior National and four-time Gold Medallist in the Federation National.

These players will work closely with head coach Parthavareddy Brahmanaidu and assistant coach Thimmaraju T. “Both Majahar Jamadar and Akshay Ganpule are young and exciting talents for the future of the sport in India. It will be a new experience working with them and the whole Rajasthan Warriors team and the goal for the squad is to improve on our performance from Season 1 and ensure that we are among the top-performing teams in the Ultimate Kho Kho League Season 1.”

The excitement of the new leadership group was also shared by Apurv Gupta, Senior Vice-President, Contact Sports, Capri Sports, “I am pleased to see two players from the first season take up a major role in leading the side for the upcoming edition of the Ultimate Kho Kho League. Kho Kho is an indigenous sport that Capri Sports is very dedicated to promoting, and with the current batch of players and coaching staff, the future of the Rajasthan Warriors is a very bright one.”

by Abhishek Shukla

UKK: CM Naveen Patnaik presented the first ticket Of Ultimate Kho Kho League Season 2

Bhubaneswar, 22 December 2023: Chief Minister of Odisha, Naveen Patnaik today was presented the first ticket for the Ultimate Kho Kho League Season 2 which will commence from 24 December at the JN Indoor Stadium, Cuttack where  Hosts and defending champions Odisha Juggernauts will take on Rajasthan Warriors.

Chief Minister Patnaik said, “Promotion of traditional Indian  sport Kho Kho is crucial  for us and Ultimate Kho Kho League provides an opportunity for masses to enjoy the thrill of this unique game. I wish the teams the very best and a memorable experience in Odisha.”

Tenzing Niyogi, CEO and League Commissioner of Ultimate Kho Kho shared, “It is a privilege to meet Shri. Naveen Patnaik, and we are delighted to present him with the first ticket for the second edition of Ultimate Kho Kho. Odisha has emerged as the vibrant nucleus of sports in India, proudly hosting a series of prestigious events in recent years. His vision has laid the foundation for a sporting legacy that continues to inspire and captivate us. As we begin the second chapter of Ultimate Kho Kho, the excitement is extremely high, especially as we host this edition in Odisha.”

The Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 will feature India’s top 145 players, including 33 young talents aged between 16 to 18. Defending champions Odisha Juggernauts, Chennai Quick Guns, Gujarat Giants, Mumbai Khiladis Rajasthan Warriors, and Telugu Yoddhas, will be the six franchises to fight for the coveted crown in the upcoming season.

by Abhishek Shukla

Gujarat Giants Announce Captain and Vice-Captain for Second Season of Ultimate Kho Kho League

Cuttack, 20 December, 2023: The much-awaited second season of the Ultimate Kho-Kho League is around the corner, and the Gujarat Giants have announced their captain and the vice-captain. The second season will start in Cuttack on 24 December, 2023, with the final slated for 13 January, 2024. The Gujarat Giants will open their campaign against the Rajasthan Warriors on 25 December.  

Leading the charge for the Adani Sportsline-owned Gujarat Giants will be Akshay Bhangre, who hails from Mumbai. This will be the 26-year-old’s first foray into the Ultimate Kho-Kho League. Having started playing when he was in the fifth grade, Akshay, who is a defender, represented Maharashtra in national competitions at the senior and junior levels. He captained the Maharashtra senior team and also the Indian Kho Kho team.  

Patta Narsayya has been given the responsibility of vice-captain, and will help Akshay and the leadership strategise and build plans for the team. The 28-year-old from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh, will be playing his second season in the Ultimate Kho-Kho League. An attacker with great flair, Patta is a big fan of Kho Kho players Prasanna Kumar and Amit Patil, and has captained his state team. Patta has also donned the Indian colours when the team faced Nepal in a Test series.  

“It is my first season in the Ultimate Kho Kho League, and I am honoured that Gujarat Giants have trusted me with captaincy. The Giants are a very strong franchise and I promise to do my best to lead the team to glory. We will try to do our very best every day,” said Akshay Bhangre, Captain, Gujarat Giants.  

“The Gujarat Giants have assembled a well-balanced squad. The Adani Sportsline management has given us a free hand to build a squad as per the needs. Akshay Bhangre and Patta Narsayya are good leaders and I am confident they will ensure we put our best foot forward,” said Sanjeev Sharma, Head Coach, Gujarat Giants.  

Adani Sportsline’s CBO Sanjay Adesara said, “Kho Kho is a big part of Indian history and we want to see it get elevated to being one of the most followed in the country. We have invested in Kho Kho with the Gujarat Giants, and believe this is one way of ensuring the sport’s profile is elevated. At Adani Sportsline, we are keen to ensure that indigenous sports have effective support to prosper.”  

by Abhishek Shukla

UKK: Mumbai Khiladis names Aniket Pote as captain for Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2

Bhubaneswar, December 17, 2023: Mumbai Khiladis on Sunday announced Mumbai boy, Aniket Pote, as the captain for second edition of the Ultimate Kho Kho, scheduled to be played from December 24 to January 14, 2024, in Cuttack, Odisha.

The 26-year-old all-rounder/attacker is one of the most decorated players in Kho Kho circuit having won gold medals for India including his stellar performance at the Asian Championship earlier this year. Pote’s performance in Season 1 has also ensured him a place in the Ultimate Kho Kho Dream Team.

Aniket has eight gold and five silver medals to his name at the senior nationals. He is renowned for his commitment and dedication on the mat and will serve as a crucial cog for Mumbai Khiladis who have invested on a young and dynamic side this year.

Speaking about the captain’s selection, team owner Punit Balan, present at the announcement ceremony in Bhuwaneshwar said, “Selecting Aniket Pote as our captain for Season 2 was a strategic choice. His exceptional performance in the first edition and the manner he demonstrated leadership qualities on the mat made him the natural choice for this crucial role. Being a local boy he also understands the spirit of the city of Mumbai and we believe his experience will galvanise the team, steering us towards success in this highly competitive season.”

The newly-appointed captain, Aniket, excited about his new responsibilities expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “It was an unexpected decision for me, but I am really grateful for getting this opportunity. I will give my best to repay the management’s faith and take Mumbai Khiladis to greater heights.”

Mumbai Khiladis have also appointed 27-year-old defender Mahesh Shinde as the vice-captain of the team. Mahesh was one of the best defenders from last season with a defending time of 15:33 minutes to his name.

The multidimensional Mumbai Khiladis will feature 13 all-rounders in Season 2. The squad looks formidable in the forthcoming edition with the addition of Sreejesh S who was among the top five defenders from Season 1, serving 17 minutes, 35 seconds defence time on the mat. They have also added season one winning all-rounder Subhasis Santra to their ranks along with 16-year-old Sunil Patra to add more energy, vigour and speed into the playing squad.

The team is currently training at the Biju Patnaik Indoor Stadium, KIIT campus, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, under the watchful eye of coach Vikas Suryavanshi, honing their skills before the season begins.

by Abhishek Shukla

UKK: Mumbai Khiladis undergo rigorous training as they gear up for Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2

Bhubaneswar, December 15, 2023: Mumbai Khiladis have started their preparation for Season 2 of the Ultimate Kho Kho with a training camp at the Biju Patnaik Indoor Stadium, KIIT campus in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The 26-member squad, under the guidance of coach Vikas Suryavanshi, has entered an intensive training camp, fine-tuning their skills and strategies ahead of the highly anticipated season, set to kick off on December 24.

The team, owned by Pune-based philanthropist and businessman Punit Balan, will have high hopes riding on their back after a successful draft where they not only focused on giving opportunity to promising youngsters but also added and retained few top performers from the previous edition.

“The anticipation and energy surrounding Season 2 of the Ultimate Kho Kho is electrifying. Our athletes have been training rigorously, and we are confident that they will bring their A-game to the league. The support from our fans is invaluable, and we look forward to an exciting season ahead,” stated Mumbai Khiladis owner Punit Balan.

Mumbai Khiladis have undertaken various measures to better the overall growth of the players. The team travels with a strength and conditioning coach who keeps a keen eye on players’ fitness, along  with a team of Physios who ensure that the players recover well. The players are also involved in other recreational sporting activities like swimming and badminton. A psychologist also accompanies the team to focus on the players’ mental well- being.

A 10-day camp commenced on December 10 and will run until December 20 before the players get ready to face Telugu Yoddhas in their opening fixture on December 24.

“We have selected some of the best players from all over India, but Kho Kho is a team game and it is important to create a sense of team bonding. We are working on bridging the gap between senior and junior players so that they feel comfortable when they step on the mat. With this training camp, we are looking to work on team combinations and lift the overall fitness level of our players which will be a crucial factor going ahead in the tournament,” commented coach Vikas Suryavanshi.  

The thrilling action from Season 2 of India’s first-ever franchise-based Kho-Kho league will be broadcasted live on Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI)’s sports channels as well as livestream on Sony LIV.

by Abhishek Shukla

UKK: Ultimate Kho Kho announces Season 2 fixture, defending champions Odisha Juggernauts take on Rajasthan Warriors in opener

New Delhi, December 13, 2023: Hosts and defending champions Odisha Juggernauts will take on Rajasthan Warriors in the lung opener of the Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 which will kick off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Cuttack, Odisha, from Sunday, December 24, 2023.

Meanwhile, runners-up in the inaugural season, Telugu Yoddhas aim to go one step further as they face Mumbai Khiladis in their Season 2 opener in the second match of the day. Both teams will clash twice during the 30-match league stage, scheduled to be played between December 24 and January 09, 2024.

Promoted by Amit Burman in collaboration with the Kho Kho Federation of India, Season 2 of Ultimate Kho Kho will witness high-octane matches and thrilling action especially after its successful inaugural season. The league has recently become the first Indian sports league to secure Series A funding from UK-based BNP Group.

The six-team tournament comprises Chennai Quick Guns (owned by KLO Sports), Gujarat Giants (Adani Sportsline), Mumbai Khiladis (Janhavi Dhariwal Balan, Punit Balan and Badshah), Odisha Juggernauts (Government of Odisha), Rajasthan Warriors (Capri Global Group) and Telugu Yoddhas (GMR Sports) will play on a basis of double round robin in the league stage. Top-4 teams will qualify for the semi-finals to be played on January 11, 2024. The final will be played on January 13, 2024.

We’re thrilled to kick off Season 2 of Ultimate Kho Kho, building on the incredible momentum of the inaugural season. With high-octane matches, exciting new talent, and a growing fanbase, we’re committed to making this season even bigger and better. This league is more than just a competition; it’s a platform to showcase the power and agility of Kho Kho, inspire the next generation of athletes, and contribute to the development of a vibrant sports ecosystem in India,” commented Vishal Sharma, League Director and COO of Ultimate Kho Kho.

UKK Season 2 fixture

  1. Odisha Juggernauts VS Rajasthan Warriors – Sun, 24th Dec
  2. Telugu Yoddhas VS Mumbai Khaalis – Sun, 24th Dec
  3. Rajasthan Warriors VS Gujarat Giants – Mon, 25th Dec
  4. Chennai Quick Guns VS Telugu Yoddhas – Mon, 25th Dec
  5. Gujarat Giants VS Mumbai Khaalis – Tue, 26th Dec
  6. Odisha Juggernauts VS Chennai Quick Guns – Tue, 26th Dec
  7. Telugu Yoddhas VS Rajasthan Warriors – Wed, 27th Dec
  8. Mumbai Khaalis VS Odisha Juggernauts – Wed, 27th Dec
  9. Rajasthan Warriors VS Chennai Quick Guns – Fri, 29th Dec
  10. Gujarat Giants VS Telugu Yoddhas – Fri, 29th Dec
  11. Chennai Quick Guns VS Mumbai Khaalis – Sat, 30th Dec
  12. Odisha Juggernauts VS Gujarat Giants – Sat, 30th Dec
  13. Telugu Yoddhas VS Odisha Juggernauts – Sun, 31st Dec
  14. Rajasthan Warriors VS Mumbai Khaalis – Sun, 31st Dec
  15. Gujarat Giants VS Chennai Quick Guns – Mon, 1st Jan
  16. Rajasthan Warriors VS Telugu Yoddhas – Mon, 1st Jan
  17. Chennai Quick Guns VS Odisha Juggernauts – Tue, 2nd Jan
  18. Mumbai Khaalis VS Gujarat Giants – Tue, 2nd Jan
  19. Mumbai Khaalis VS Telugu Yoddhas – Wed, 3rd Jan
  20. Rajasthan Warriors VS Odisha Juggernauts – Wed, 3rd Jan
  21. Telugu Yoddhas VS Chennai Quick Guns – Fri, 5th Jan
  22. Gujarat Giants VS Rajasthan Warriors – Fri, 5th Jan
  23. Gujarat Giants VS Odisha Juggernauts – Sat, 6th Jan
  24. Mumbai Khaalis VS Chennai Quick Guns – Sat, 6th Jan
  25. Mumbai Khaalis VS Rajasthan Warriors – Sun, 7th Jan
  26. Odisha Juggernauts VS Telugu Yoddhas – Sun, 7th Jan
  27. Telugu Yoddhas VS Gujarat Giants – Mon, 8th Jan
  28. Chennai Quick Guns VS Rajasthan Warriors – Mon, 8th Jan
  29. Odisha Juggernauts VS Mumbai Khaalis – Tue, 9th Jan
  30. Chennai Quick Guns VS Gujarat Giants – Tue, 9th Jan

Semi-Final and Finals schedule:

  • Thu 11th Jan: Semi Final 1 (Rank 2nd VS Rank 3rd)
  • Thu 11th Jan: Semi Final 2 (Rank 1st VS Rank 4th)
  • Sat 13th Jan: 3rd Place (SF 1 Loser VS SF 2 Loser)
  • Sat 13th Jan: Final (SF Winner 1 VS SF Winner 2)

The UKK is to be live from 24th December to 13th January, 7 PM onwards, with live and exclusive streaming on Sony Sports Network.

by Abhishek Shukla

Ultimate Kho Kho raises valuation, secures a Series-A PE funding from UK-based BNP Group

Delhi, November 24, 2023 – In a ground-breaking move to bolster the growth of Kho-Kho firstly in India and then globally, Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK), India’s first-ever professional Kho-Kho league, has secured a Series A funding from UK-based BNP Group — a private investment firm that invests in scalable and disruptive business ideas.

Ultimate Kho Kho becomes the first sports league in India to secure private equity investment to grow the trajectory of Kho-Kho in India and globally. This strategic partnership signifies a pivotal moment in the annals of sports investment, not only fortifying BNP’s standing in the sports industry but also affording a global platform for the promotion of indigenous sports.

Promoted by Amit Burman in collaboration with the Kho Kho Federation of India, Ultimate Kho Kho remains steadfast in its mission to reimagine the growth of this homegrown sport with more significant dynamism and engagement. The league already enjoys robust backing and patronage from distinguished state and corporate entities, including Odisha Sports Development and Promotion Company, GMR Sports, Adani Sportsline, Capri Global, Punit Balan Group, and KLO Sports, all of whom have invested as franchise owners in the league.

Ultimate Kho Kho’s notable success in its inaugural season was pivotal in attracting this substantial investment from BNP Group. The inaugural season of Ultimate Kho Kho reached a noteworthy milestone, garnering a substantial viewership of 164 million across a spectrum of media platforms and 225 million video views on social media, thus securing its position among the top three non-cricketing leagues in India. With 41% of female viewership the league proved sport’s expansive and inclusive appeal in India.

Sharing his thoughts on the remarkable association, Mr. Amit Burman, Promoter UKK, stated, “Keeping in mind the global ascendancy of indigenous sports, this partnership with BNP Group is a massive milestone for Ultimate Kho Kho and our plans to grow the league as a bigger commercial entity. Together, we are poised to unlock newer opportunities and redefine the future of sporting ecosystem of India and contributing towards developing a multi-sport playing nation. This investment will empower us to build a stronger, bolder platform that resonates with Kho-Kho fans worldwide.”

With this historic investment, Ultimate Kho Kho and BNP Group are forging a path for the future of indigenous sports that pledges to inspire, innovate, and rejuvenate the global sports landscape. The reverberations of this collaboration are poised to resonate among athletes, fans, and stakeholders alike, ushering in an era of excellence and inclusivity in the realm of sports leagues.

Dr. Biswanath Patnaik, Founder and Chairman of BNP Group, echoed similar sentiments stating, “This investment by BNP Group in India being the first of its kind, has already set the foundation stone for the upliftment of grass-root level sports in India. Enamoured by the Hon’ble PM Mr. Narendra Modi’s vision of making India a global sports powerhouse, I am determined to help Indian children to adopt this indigenous sport providing a platform for talented athletes to shine on the global stage. BNP’s investment is not just financial; it’s a testament to our commitment to fostering the growth and development of indigenous sports and creating a legacy that will inspire generations to come.”

The Ultimate Kho Kho is poised for Season 2, having recently conducted a Player Draft where the nation’s top 145 players, including 33 young talents, were meticulously selected by six franchises in anticipation of the upcoming season.

by Abhishek Shukla

NextGen Dominates Ultimate Kho Kho Season 2 Players Draft

Bhubaneshwar, November 22, 2023: The Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK) is all set for Season 2 as the country’s best 145 players, including 33 young talents from the range of 16 to 18 years of age, were hand-picked by six franchises during the Players Draft conducted in Bhubaneshwar.

Adding more energy and speed into the squad, teams made interesting choices with a focus on giving opportunity to promising youngsters as Mumbai Khiladis ensured the services of the 16-year-old Sunil Patra from Odisha, while 17-year-olds M Mugilan of Puducherry and Maharashtra’s Ganesh Borkar was drafted by Chennai Quick Guns and Rajasthan Warriors respectively.

“Ultimate Kho Kho will be driving young Indian fans in Season 2. From a total Player Pool of 272, franchises drafted 145 players. What makes it absolutely special is 33 players in Season 2 will be young 16 to 18 year olds. With an average age of 22.5 years, Season 2 is poised to be faster, stronger and bolder visual spectacle for fans across,” commented Tenzing Niyogi, Ultimate Kho Kho CEO and League Commissioner.

Promoted by Amit Burman in collaboration with the Kho Kho Federation of India (KKFI), Ultimate Kho Kho remains steadfast in its mission to reimagine the growth of indigenous sport with more significant dynamism and engagement.

“The level of entertainment and proficiency of this game has improved in Ultimate Kho Kho. The second season will take it to greater heights and then sky is the limit. Kho-Kho has now been adopted globally because of its speed and entertainment value and a total of 38 countries play Kho-Kho today,” KKFI President Sudhanshu Mittal said.

Interestingly, it was Maharashtra’s Mahesh Shinde, who became the first pick of the draft for the second season in a row. The 28-year-old defender was drafted by Mumbai Khiladis, which also retained Gajanan Shengal and Sreejesh S after their impressive performances in the inaugural edition of the league.

“We have retained Gajanan and Sreejesh. It was a good draft and there are around 8-10 players from Maharashtra who will play for Mumbai Khiladis. We have also picked some of the players who were part of the team in the last season. You need technique as well as young legs in this game because it’s fast. Keeping such combinations in mind, we have made a team of 26 players for the upcoming season and I hope they will perform well,” said Punit Balan, co-owner of Mumbai Khiladis.

Defending champions Odisha Juggernauts also ensured a perfect balance of youth and experience as they selected a strong squad.

“As defending champions, last year we had a very good team so we have retained our major players. Kho-Kho is a very technical game and we gave the responsibility to the coaches, discussed it with them. We had done our homework and picked a very good team. There are many new players and also some upcoming players from Odisha also. We expect that we will defend our title,” commented Lilan Prasad Sahu, OSD, Dept of Sports and Youth Affairs, Govt of Odisha.

While the retained players were offered ₹6 lakh each, franchises picked their remaining players from four categories—A (₹5 lakh), B (₹3 lakh), C (₹1.5 lakh) and D (₹1 lakh). Gujarat Giants and Rajasthan Warriors drafted 25 and 22 players respectively to complete their squads.

“Kho-Kho is a sport that is deeply rooted in the Indian culture, and we at Adani Sportsline are completely focused on ensuring that we help elevate the profile of the sport. Last year, in the inaugural season of the Ultimate Kho Kho, the Gujarat Giants had a good season. However, with this edition we are aiming for the title, and are doing all we can to ensure a powerful performance. Season 2 will surely be bigger and better and we are looking to go all out for our players to emerge as the league champions,” said Sanjay Adesara, CBO, Adani Sportsline which owns Gujarat Giants.

A total of 290 players were registered for the Season 2 Players Draft from 18 states as franchises spent ₹3.9 crore to draft 145 players including 18 retained players. Vijay Hajare, Adhithya Ganpule and Laxman Gawas were among the star players who were handpicked first by Rajasthan Warriors (owned by Capri Global), Telugu Yoddhas and Chennai Quick Guns (owned by KLO Sports), respectively.

Chennai Quick Guns co-owner Srinath said, “I’m quite happy with the squad that we have. My team has worked really hard for the last 6-7 months. They have been scouting for the players, and talking to them. They made a very wise choice of retaining the marquee players. Though we went for a complete revamp of the team, the core team remains the same.”

“At the onset we from Telugu Yoddhas are extremely happy on how the draft was conducted today. We had the opportunity to get some amazing players exactly the way we planned. These players bring a mix of skill and youth just the right blend for us. We trust with our coaching staff and team will get a right winning combination. Now we are all geared up for a thrilling season ahead — full of teamwork, good vibes, and hopefully a podium finish,” said PKSV Sagar, CEO, GMR SPORTS which owns Telugu Yoddhas.

The thrilling action from Season 2 of India’s first-ever franchise-based Kho-Kho league will be broadcasted live on Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI)’s sports channels as well as livestream on Sony LIV.

Complete Squads:
Odisha Juggernauts: Dilip Khandvi (Retained), Dipesh More (Retained), Gowtham MK (Retained), Vishal (Retained), Omkar Sonawane, Rohan Shingade, Akshay Masal, Mahesha P, Manoj Patil, Avinash Desai, Manoj Kumar, Visag S, Debendra Nath, Nikhil Kumar, Vishal Oram, Sanjay Kumar V, Deepak Kumar Sahoo, Nikhil B, MD Mirajul, Sushant Kaldhone, Sobhag V Sriganda, Niranjan Samal, Savir Ahmad, Suresh Kumar and Siddheswar Tudu.

Telugu Yoddhas: Arun Gunki (Retained), Avdhut Patil (Retained), Pratik Waikar (Retained), Adhithya Ganpule, Rahul Mandal, Nikhil Waghe, Milind Chavrekar, Akash Togare, Kiran Vasave, Dhruv, Prasad Radye, Rudra Thopate, Prem Randive, Vaibhav Nippane, Sourabh Adavkar, Vijaybhai Vegad, Anukul Sarkar, M Phani Kumar, Mahamad Ujer Harun Momin, Matlum, Lipun Mukhi, Arjun Bishukarma, Prasad Patil, Bojjam Ranjith and Rajat Malik.

Chennai Quick Guns: Amit Patil (Retained), Madan (Retained), Ramji Kashyap (Retained), Laxman Gawas, Adarsh Mohite, Sachin Bhargo, Zora Suraj, Suraj Lande, Aditya Kudale, Durvesh Salunke, Chandu Chavre, Akash Kadam, Narendra Katkate, Mustafa Bagwan, Arjun Singh, Vijay Shinde, Ashish Patel, M Mugilan, Akash Balyan, Sumon Barman, Pavan Kumar  and Giri S.

Rajasthan Warriors: Akshay Ganpule (Retained), Dilrajsing Sengar (Retained), Majahar Jamadar (Retained), Vijay Hajare, Jaggannath Das, Rushab Wagh, Nilesh Patil, Prajwal K H, Brahmane Vivek, Ranjan Shetty, Rejeti Surinaidu, Sourabh Gadge, Nandan D, Ganesh Borkar, Bika Chetan, Buchannagari Raju, Dhanraj P, Jagannath Murmu, Aditya Shelke, Mukesh Prajapat, Vaibhav More and Aditya KN.

Gujarat Giants: Abhinandan Patil (Retained), Akshay Bhangare (Retained), Suyash Gargate (Retained), Nilesh Jadhav, P Narasayya, Faizankha Pathan, Rajvardhan Patil, V Subramani, Deepak Madhav, Shubham Thorat, Gavara Venkatesh, Sanket Kadam, Kondhalkar Rupesh, Bharat Kumar, Pabani Sabar, Vinayak Pokarde, Ram Mohan, V Kabilan, Arnav Patankar, Alfaj H Nadaf, Vasave Ravi, Abhijit Patil, Saleem Khan, Vijesh Kumar and Harish Mohmmad.

Mumbai Khiladis: Gajanan Shengal (Retained), Sreejesh S (Retained), Mahesh Shinde, Aniket Pote, Subhasis Santra, Hrushikesh Murchavade, Rokeson Singh, P Siva Reddy, Govind Yadav, Avik Singha, Milind Kurpe, Sunil Patra, Sudheer Kumar, MD Aiman Pasha, Sagar Potdar, Rohan Kore, Komal, Pawar Sachin, Dhiraj Bhave, Debasis, Shiva, Ajay Kashyap, Pritam Chougule, Sibin M, Abhishek Pathrode and Parmar Rahul.