For the first time in the city, Maharashtra Krida Mandal (MKM) will organize the Kho Kho Premier League, modeled after the Ultimate Kho Kho format. The tournament, set to take place from November 8 to 10, will be held under floodlights at the New English High School ground, featuring Under-16 boys and girls.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday at the SJAN office, MKM Secretary Dr. Padmakar Charmode announced that six teams will compete: MKM Defenders, Rajmudra Warriors, Orange City United, Chhatrapati Kings, VDL Flayers, and Fitness Oxygen. Each team will consist of 12 players, including 10 boys and at least two girls, as well as a coach, mentor, and assistant coach. The teams will be formed through an auction following player trials scheduled for October 27.
Former national kho kho players, including Ashfaq Sheikh, Prashant Khalatkar, Manohar Dixit, Rajesh Tumsare, Sudhir Chitnis, and Chandrakant Asole, will serve as mentors, while Bhushan Dahasahastra, Yogesh Ghugguskar, Manoj Gotekar, Nitesh Pardhe, Pankaj Karpe, and Sourabh Dube will take on coaching duties. They will be supported by assistant coaches Chetan Donadkar, Vansh Shende, Pravin Wahale, Chetan Uikey, Prem Rakhade, and Yash Wankhede.
Medical services during the event will be provided by Akar School of Nursing. MKM Joint Secretary Dr. Sanjay Choudhary, along with Sachin Deshmukh, Atul Kulkarni, Samir Lohi, and others, were also present at the announcement.