“Last time we lost to them. This time the instruction was clear: that play without any pressure. We have a good bunch of junior and senior players. I am really thrilled that our team beat the formidable Maharashtra,” he said.

Odisha boys, however, settled for the silver medal as they lost to Maharashtra in the final 25-34. Despite making a strong start, Odisha boys could not keep pace with the experienced Maharashtra team and eventually lost the match.

The boys bronze went to Karnataka and Punjab. Karnataka saw off Punjab under the minimum chase rule for some extra bragging rights. The girls bronze went to Punjab and Delhi, with the former winning under the minimum chase rule after a 2-2 tie.

Earlier in the semifinals, Odisha girls beat Punjab 50-16 and Odisha boys defeated Karnataka 47-26. Odisha girls won all three of their league matches in Group-B to qualify for the semifinals. They got the better of Delhi 39-27, Tamil Nadu 54-18 and Karnataka 49-12. Odisha boys also won all three of their league matches in Group-A, defeating Punjab 55-22, Uttar Pradesh 39-14 and Bihar 69-16.

ODISHA GIRLS TEAM (15): Smaranika Sahoo, Archana Pradhan, Champa Majhi, Sabita Murmu, Basanti Nag, Lisarani Raita, Subhashree Mallick, Harapriya Bhuyan, Killana Ramya, Nisha Khatun, Debasmita Das, Trupti Rekha Barik, Gorakala Nandini, Samenu Rukmini, Subhalaxmi Nathsharma. Coach: Chaudhury Parthasarathi Mohapatra.

ODISHA BOYS TEAM (15): Sunil Patra, Yashavant Yadav, Bapi Murmu, Raghu Soyam, Ayush Sahoo, Seshabasanta Sabar, Ramesh Chandra Sahoo, Siba Gunta, Abhijit Sahoo, Kuna Behera, Niranjan Sahoo, Sumit Sahoo, Jagdis Behera, Aditya Das, Bijay Kumar Mandra.
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TOP: Players and support staff of Odisha girls kho-kho team pose with the gold medal at the 7th Khelo India Youth Games in Gaya, Bihar on 9 May 2025.

RIGHT: Players and support staff of Odisha boys kho-kho team pose with the silver medal at the 7th Khelo India Youth Games in Gaya, Bihar on 9 May 2025.