Category: Ultimate Kho Kho

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.