Odisha finished third alongside West Bengal and Karnataka in the men and women event respectively. It was a big improvement for Odisha as they had finished fifth and 13th in the women and men events respectively at the previous edition held in 2019.

Cash prizes to the tune of Rs 15,20,000 for the winners, runners-up, third-place finishers and individual awardees were announced. The champion teams received Rs 3 lakhs each, while the runner-up were given Rs 2 lakhs each. The third-place finishers became richer by Rs 1 lakh each. The individual awardees pocketed Rs 20,000 each.

Earlier in the day, Maharashtra men edged past Odisha, and Delhi triumphed over West Bengal to march into the finals. Similarly in the women event, Maharashtra defeated Odisha, and Kolhapur beat Karnataka to secure their berth in the finals.

The semifinal between Maharashtra and Odisha turned out to be one of the most thrilling encounters in the tournament that had to be decided by a minimum chase after the teams were tied, at the end of regulation time.

The final matches were attended by a host of dignitaries including chief guest, NALCO Chairman Shridhar Patra, along with guests of honour, State Sports Department Secretary R Vineel Krishna, KIIT University Sports Director Gaganendu Dash and Kho Kho Federation of India Secretary General M S Tyagi.

The five-day championship saw over 600 athletes from 53 state and union territory teams vying for the crown. This championship was hosted by Odisha Kho Kho Association with support from the Sports and Youth Services Department, Government of Odisha, and KIIT (deemed University) under the aegis of the Kho Kho Federation of India. The national championship will serve as the qualifier for the 4th Khelo India Youth Games to be held in Panchkula (Haryana) next year.

Earlier on September 22, KIIT & KISS Founder Achyuta Samanta, Odisha Hockey Promotion Council Chairman Dilip Tirkey, DSYS Secretary R Vineel Krishna, Kho Kho Federation of India Secretary General M S Tyagi, Odisha Kho Kho Association President Narayan Patra and Secretary Pradyumna Mishra were present in the opening ceremony as dignitaries.

INDIVIDUAL PRIZE WINNERS:
BOYS: Best Chaser: Pabani Sabar, Odisha. Best Defender: Ritik, Delhi. Best Player: Aditya Kudale.
GIRLS: Best Chaser: Vrushali Bhoye, Maharashtra. Best Defender: Vaishnavi Pawar, Kolhapur. Best Player: Ashwini Shinde, Maharashtra.

ODISHA RESULTS:
BOYS: League Stage: Odisha (28) beat Madhya Pradesh (6) by one innings and 22 points. Odisha (38) beat Bihar (4) by an innings and 34 points. Odisha (16) beat Karnataka (9). Odisha (17) beat Manipur (10). Quarterfinals: Odisha (19) beat Telangana (8) by 11 points. Semifinals: Odisha (14) lost to Maharashtra (15) by 1 point.
GIRLS: League Stage: Odisha (18) beat Manipur (1) by an innings and 17 points. Odisha (23) beat Andhra Pradesh (2) by an innings and 21 points. Odisha (26) beat Himachal Pradesh (5). Quarterfinals: Odisha (13) beat West Bengal (5) by an innings and 8 points. Semifinals: Odisha (10) lost to Maharashtra (11) by 1 point.

ODISHA BOYS TEAM (12): Pabani Sabar, Swayam Satyaprakash Parija, Vishal Oram, Papu Marandi, Kshirod Biswal, Sunil Patra, Biswabijayee Colombus, Litu Munda, Maika Munda, Tinku Tirkey, Budhia Majhi, Dillip Sabar. Coach: Sasmita Ojha.
ODISHA GIRLS TEAM (12): Subhashree Sing, Kadambini Majhi, Magai Majhi, Ananya Pradhan, Archana Pradhan, Champa Majhi, Ranjita Barik, Monika Naik, Smaranika Sahoo, Kshanaprava Nayak, Reshma Minz. Coach: Mandakini Majhi.
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TOP: Players and coach of Odisha Junior Men Team with guests at the medal and trophy presentation ceremony of the 40th Junior National Kho-Kho Championship in Bhubaneswar on 26 September 2021.
RIGHT: Players and coach of Odisha Junior Women Team with guests at the medal and trophy presentation ceremony of the 40th Junior National Kho-Kho Championship in Bhubaneswar on 26 September 2021.