Gopalganj: The Asmita Khelo India Women’s Kho-Kho League (Junior and Sub-Junior categories) commenced with great enthusiasm at Minj Stadium, Gopalganj. Organised under the joint aegis of the Bihar State Sports Authority and the Kho-Kho Association of Bihar, the three-day league is hosted by the Gopalganj District Administration.
The opening ceremony was marked by the presence of Gopalganj District Magistrate Prashant Kumar CH (IAS), Deputy Development Commissioner Kumar Nishant (IAS), Secretary of the Kho-Kho Association of Bihar Neeraj Kumar Pappu, and Secretary of the Kho-Kho Association of Jharkhand Santosh Prasad. The dignitaries introduced the teams and officially inaugurated the league with a ceremonial toss.
Highlights from Day 1
Exciting matches set the tone for the league, with teams showcasing their skills:
- Junior Category:
- Maharashtra secured a decisive 36–18 victory over Punjab. Sohani Dhotre from Maharashtra stood out, excelling as both a raider and a defender. She scored crucial points and spent an impressive 4 minutes and 15 seconds on defence, earning the title of the best player of the match.
- Delhi clinched a narrow win against Bengal in a closely contested match, finishing 31–25. Shubhangi of Delhi was declared the best player for her exceptional contributions.
- Sub-Junior Category:
- Delhi triumphed over Gujarat with a commanding 38–14 victory. Shraddha from Delhi emerged as the standout raider, scoring 8 points and defending for 1 minute and 50 seconds.
- Karnataka dominated Madhya Pradesh, winning 36–6. Ningamma from Karnataka displayed remarkable skills, scoring 8 points as a raider and defending successfully for the full three minutes. Despite the loss, Madhya Pradesh’s young player Vanshika impressed with her performance.
Encouragement for the Players
District Magistrate Prashant Kumar CH interacted with the players, urging them to play with discipline and assuring them of full support from the administration. In a heartfelt conversation with Vanshika, captain of Madhya Pradesh’s sub-junior team, he praised her talent and wished her a bright future.
Cultural and Competitive Spirit
The league reflected the diversity of India, with players cheering each other in their regional languages, adding a vibrant cultural touch. Teams exchanged strategies, focusing on mastering the critical wazir move, a highlight of the game.
Attendees and Support
The event was attended by Sub-Divisional Officer Dr Pradeep Kumar, Senior Treasury Officer Shashikant Arya, District Education Officer Yogesh Kumar, and other prominent officials. Sports educators and enthusiasts, including Dr Raman Kumar and Ashok Kumar Singh, were also present to support the players.
With a thrilling start and spirited performances, the Asmita Khelo India Women’s Kho-Kho League promises a showcase of exceptional talent and competitive zeal in the days to come.
