Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today launched the logo of “Odisha Juggernauts”, the state team for the opening season of Ultimate Kho Kho (UKK), which will begin from 14 August at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune.
“Glad to launch the logo of “Odisha Juggernauts” – our own team for the first edition of the Ultimate Kho Kho. The new team will further strengthen Odisha’s flourishing sporting culture. Wish the team all success”, the CM tweeted.
Glad to launch the logo of “Odisha Juggernauts” – our own team for the first edition of the @ultimatekhokho. The new team will further strengthen #Odisha’s flourishing sporting culture. Wish the team all success. #AbKhoHoga #OdishaForSports pic.twitter.com/TLu1ap6dzH
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) July 14, 2022
In a major boost to the UKK, the Odisha Government has taken ownership of the team for the professional league.
The Odisha Sports Development and Promotion Company (OSDPC)-owned team will be the fifth franchise in the league.
“Kho Kho is very popular in many parts of Odisha. In the recent Khelo India Youth Games, our boys and girls played well and won the silver medals. Since it’s a traditional game, we have huge scope to develop it further in the state. Therefore, we have decided to participate in the Kho Kho league. This is part of our Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik’s vision for sports in Odisha,” said Minister for Sports and Youth Services, Tusharkanti Behera earlier.
In the last decade, the Naveen Patnaik-led government has not only hosted some of the major sports events in the country but also developed world-class multi-sport infrastructure.
OSDPC is collaborating with leading steel manufacturer ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Limited (AM/NS India) and will be working closely in Ultimate Kho Kho.
The first season of UKK will start from 14 August at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, where six teams will fight it out for the top honour.
The tournament will conclude on 4 September.
The inaugural season will be played among six teams — Chennai Quick Guns (KLO Sports), Gujarat Giants (Adani Sportsline), Mumbai Khiladis (Badshah & Punit Balan), Odisha Juggernauts (Government of Odisha), Rajasthan Warriors (Capri Global) and Telugu Yoddhas (GMR Sports).
As many as 34 matches will be played with two matches per day in Season 1, during the league stage.
The knockout matches will be played in an exciting play-off format which will consist of a qualifier and eliminator matches.
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