Gopalganj: Delhi and Maharashtra have secured their places in the finals of the Asmita Khelo India Women’s Kho-Kho League in both the junior and sub-junior categories. The matches are being held at Minj Stadium, with Delhi defeating host Bihar in both semi-finals, while Maharashtra claimed victories against Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh to advance.
Despite their semi-final losses, Bihar has ensured a bronze medal in both categories, marking a commendable achievement for the host team.
The league is being jointly organised by the Gopalganj District Administration, the Bihar State Sports Authority, and the Kho-Kho Association of Bihar. Bihar’s teams entered the semi-finals via byes in the group stage, with sub-junior Group D advancing due to the absence of Punjab and Rajasthan and junior Group C moving forward due to the absence of Odisha and Assam.
Semi-Final Highlights
In the sub-junior category semi-final, Delhi overcame Bihar in a competitive match, winning 39-28. Geeta excelled for Delhi, scoring 12 points in attack and spending 2 minutes in defence to halt Bihar’s scoring efforts. Bihar’s Araadhya contributed 8 points in attack, while Sanjana impressed in defence, staying on the court for 1 minute and 20 seconds.
In the other sub-junior semi-final, Maharashtra defeated Karnataka 29-17. Bhonsle S. Vishal, Tamakhate Ganatrao, and Jadhav Gauri were key players for Maharashtra, scoring 8, 6, and 6 points, respectively, while showcasing strong defensive skills.
In the junior category semi-finals, Delhi delivered a dominant performance against Bihar, winning 66-14. Rinki and Pushpa scored 10 points each, while Ritika displayed excellent defensive skills, spending 7 minutes on the court. Delhi’s cohesive performance, from attack to defence, highlighted their superiority.
Maharashtra secured their spot in the junior final with a commanding 60-6 victory over Madhya Pradesh in a one-sided encounter.
League Stage Highlights
During the league stage of the sub-junior category, Maharashtra defeated West Bengal 29-20. Arpana was a standout performer, scoring 8 points in attack and spending 2 minutes 40 seconds on the court to trouble West Bengal’s attackers.
In the junior category league stage, Madhya Pradesh outclassed Gujarat 43-6. Anushka Ben starred for Madhya Pradesh, scoring 8 points in attack and excelling in defence by staying on the court for 3 minutes 40 seconds without conceding a single point.
Semi-Finalists
- Sub-Junior Category: Delhi (Pool A), Karnataka (Pool B), Maharashtra (Pool C), Bihar (Pool D).
- Junior Category: Maharashtra (Pool A), Delhi (Pool B), Bihar (Pool C), Madhya Pradesh (Pool D).
Distinguished Guests
Before the matches, several notable dignitaries met the players, including Neeraj Kumar Pappu (Secretary, Kho-Kho Association of Bihar), Abdul Rashid (District Sports Officer), Sanjay Prasad (Secretary, Kho-Kho Association of Jharkhand), and Sanjeev Kumar Mishra (Kho-Kho Federation of India). Also present were Senior Treasury Officer Shashikant Arya, Rajiv Kumar Singh of the Sports Department, and Praveen Shahi.
This league has not only showcased the talent of emerging players but also strengthened Bihar’s prominence in promoting Kho-Kho at the grassroots level.
