Surat, Oct 19 (IANS): The 39th Junior National Kho Kho Championship will commence at the S.M.C. School here on October 19 with the participation of as many as 792 players.
The five-day championship will be bigger and better this time with a total of 33 states, Union Territories and affiliated units vying for the trophy in both boys' and girls' sections.
Last year, Maharashtra, which is traditionally the hotbed of kho kho, stamped their authority by securing the top position in both the boys' and girls' categories.
Having recently won the boys' title in the sub-junior nationals, Maharashtra will be upbeat to continue their domination while in the girls' section, they will be doubly motivated to lift the title after losing to Odisha in the sub-junior nationals final.
The 33 teams have been divided into eight groups in both boys' and girls' sections and top two teams from each group will progress to the pre-quarterfinals.