The landmark event brought together 120 talented players from four states to form four men’s teams and four women’s teams, each accompanied by dedicated coaches and team managers. Over two days -teams battled through the pool matches in both the men’s and women’s categories with top 2 teams played in finals to win the first championship trophy.

Fierce Competition Throughout the Tournament
The tournament witnessed thrilling chases, rock-solid defence, team work, strategy and above all true sportsmanship across all sessions. Notably, the men’s match between the Canberra Raptors and VIC Legendary ended in a thrilling tie, while the women’s clash between VIC KK United and VIC Aussie Warriors also resulted in a hard-fought draw — showcasing the high calibre of talent and competition at Australia’s first national championship.

Thrilling Finals and Historic Victories
The women’s final saw a spirited contest between the Victorian Eagles and the NSW Strikers, with the NSW Strikers ultimately securing the championship title.
In the men’s category, the NSW Warriors faced off against the VIC Leegendary, delivering a gripping finale that concluded with the NSW Warriors claiming the victory.
With both men’s and women’s teams from NSW taking home the first championship titles, the event marked a proud moment for the host state and set a strong foundation for the future growth of Kho Kho across Australia.

A Historic Milestone for Kho Kho in Australia
The successful execution of the national championship reflects the sport’s rising popularity and the commitment of the Australian Kho Kho community to developing structured, competitive pathways for athletes nationwide. The event was broadcast live on YouTube and was watched by over 3000 viewers. Matches were witnessed by a large, enthusiastic crowd who passionately cheered for their teams throughout the tournament — adding tremendous energy to this historic achievement.

Plans are already underway for expanded participation and broader engagement in future editions, further strengthening Kho Kho’s presence in Australia’s multicultural sporting landscape.

Opening and Closing Ceremony – Reflections from Distinguished Guests
During the opening ceremony, Mr Vaibhav Patel, Director of Aussizz Group NSW, one of the key sponsors, was in attendance. Mr Raj Sura, President of the Kho Kho Australia, emphasised the championship’s importance in elevating the sport’s standard in Australia, identifying emerging talent, and building future squads to represent Australia in international competitions.

Dr. S. Janakiraman, Consul General of India (Sydney), expressed his pride in seeing an ancient Indian sport gaining momentum in Australia. He praised the work of Kho Kho Australia for advancing the sport so rapidly and highlighted how easy and accessible Kho Kho is — noting that “someone just needs to know how to run” to begin playing.
A short video message from Mr Steve Kamper, MP, NSW Sports Minister, congratulated the organisers and participants and expressed confidence in the event’s success, highlighting the promising future of Kho Kho in Australia.

During the closing ceremony, Ms Manisha Gazula, Principal of Marsden Road Public School, highlighted the school’s pride in being at the centre of Australia’s first dedicated Kho Kho ground and hosting the inaugural national championship, supporting the growth of the sport and providing quality facilities for young athletes.

Ms Charishma Kalindya, MP NSW Parliament, shared her reflections, saying she was amazed by the stamina, skills, and fast-paced nature of Kho Kho, adding that the sport enables many young people to take part and promotes social cohesion and harmony by connecting communities through play.

David Mark, ABC National Sports Reporter, was also present as a distinguished guest.

Future Event

The best players in Women’s and Men’s category from this Championship will be selected to represent Australia in the upcoming 1st Commonwealth Kho Kho Championship. It will be in India in early 2026.