7th Khelo India Youth Games 2025 Kabaddi Event: Maharashtra Claims Boys’ Title, Haryana Wins Girls’ Crown
The 7th Khelo India Youth Games 2025, held in Bihar, showcasing young talent across various sports. Among these, the kabaddi event at Rajgir Sports Complex in Rajgir stood out, drawing huge crowds and excitement. From May 4 to May 8, 2025, the kabaddi competition featured Under-18 boys’ and girls’ teams battling for glory. Who emerged victorious in the 7th Khelo India Youth Games kabaddi event and why was this event so special?
The 7th Khelo India Youth Games kabaddi event was a key part of the multi-sport tournament hosted across five cities in Bihar: Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Bhagalpur, and Begusarai. Kabaddi, a traditional Indian sport, is always a fan favourite due to its fast pace and teamwork. The event took place at the modern Rajgir Sports Complex, where young players showed their strength, strategy, and spirit.
The kabaddi tournament included boys’ and girls’ categories, with teams divided into groups for league-stage matches. The top teams advanced to the semi-finals and finals. Moreover, the matches were live-streamed on the Prasar Bharati Sports YouTube channel and telecast on DD Sports, making it easy for fans to follow the action.
Boys’ Kabaddi: Semi-Finals and Final
The boys’ kabaddi competition was full of close contests, with teams like Haryana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh showing their skills. The semi-finals and final were particularly exciting, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Boys’ Semi-Final 1: Haryana vs Rajasthan (40-38)
In the first semi-final, Haryana faced Rajasthan in a nail-biting match. Haryana won 40-38, securing their spot in the final. The match was a close one, with both teams trading points throughout. Haryana’s strong defense and quick raids gave them a slight edge, but Rajasthan fought hard until the last moment. This victory marked Haryana as a top contender in the 7th Khelo India Youth Games kabaddi event, proving their ability to handle pressure.
Boys’ Semi-Final 2: Maharashtra vs Andhra Pradesh (33-30)
The second semi-final saw Maharashtra take on Andhra Pradesh in another thrilling encounter. Maharashtra emerged victorious with a score of 33-30, earning their place in the final, their first since 2020. Andhra Pradesh put up a strong fight, but Maharashtra’s teamwork and smart strategies helped them pull ahead. This win was a big moment for Maharashtra, as they aimed to reclaim their kabaddi glory in the 7th Khelo India Youth Games kabaddi event.
Boys’ Final: Maharashtra vs Haryana
The boys’ final was a blockbuster clash between Maharashtra and Haryana, two kabaddi powerhouses. Haryana won the gold medal with a close 38-29 victory over Maharashtra. The match was intense, with both teams showcasing excellent raids and solid defense. Haryana’s ability to stay calm in crucial moments helped them secure the win, ending Maharashtra’s hopes of taking the title. This final was a highlight of the 7th Khelo India Youth Games kabaddi event, showing why kabaddi is so loved in India.
Girls’ Kabaddi: Semi-Finals and Final
The girls’ kabaddi competition was equally exciting, with teams like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Punjab delivering top performances. The semi-finals and final were packed with action, making the 7th Khelo India Youth Games kabaddi event unforgettable.
Girls’ Semi-Final 1: Haryana vs Tamil Nadu (37-21)
In the first girls’ semi-final, Haryana dominated Tamil Nadu, winning 37-21. Haryana’s players were in top form, with strong raids and a solid defense that Tamil Nadu struggled to break. This convincing victory showed Haryana’s strength and set them up as favorites for the final in the 7th Khelo India Youth Games kabaddi event. Tamil Nadu fought hard but couldn’t match Haryana’s intensity.
Girls’ Semi-Final 2: Uttar Pradesh vs Punjab (37-30)
The second semi-final featured Uttar Pradesh against Punjab, and it was a closely contested match. Uttar Pradesh won 37-30, earning their spot in the final. Both teams played with great energy, but Uttar Pradesh’s smart raids and timely defensive stops gave them the edge. This win was a big moment for Uttar Pradesh, as they aimed for gold in the 7th Khelo India Youth Games kabaddi event.
Girls’ Final: Haryana vs Uttar Pradesh (41-24)
The girls’ final saw Haryana take on Uttar Pradesh in a thrilling match. Haryana won 41-24, clinching the gold medal. The game was tight, with both teams fighting for every point. Haryana’s disciplined defense and quick raids helped them stay ahead, while Uttar Pradesh pushed hard until the end. This final was a perfect example of the high-quality kabaddi in the 7th Khelo India Youth Games kabaddi event, leaving fans cheering for more.
The 7th Khelo India Youth Games kabaddi event was special for several reasons. Firstly, it showcased young talent from across India, giving Under-18 players a chance to shine. Teams like Haryana, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh proved why they are kabaddi powerhouses, while others like Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan showed great potential.
Secondly, the event was held at the Rajgir Sports Complex, a modern venue that provided the perfect setting for high-energy matches. The close scores in the semi-finals and finals, such as Haryana’s 40-38 win over Rajasthan and Haryana’s 38-29 victory over Maharashtra, kept fans glued to the action.
Moreover, the 7th Khelo India Youth Games kabaddi event was part of a larger mission to promote sports at the grassroots level. The Khelo India initiative aims to identify and nurture talent, offering scholarships and support to top performers. Kabaddi, as a traditional Indian sport, plays a big role in this mission, inspiring young players to aim for national and international success.
Here’s a quick summary of the 7th Khelo India Youth Games kabaddi event results:
- Boys’ Semi-Final 1: Haryana 40-38 Rajasthan
- Boys’ Semi-Final 2: Maharashtra 33-30 Andhra Pradesh
- Boys’ Final: Maharashtra 29-38 Haryana (Haryana wins gold)
- Girls’ Semi-Final 1: Haryana 37-21 Tamil Nadu
- Girls’ Semi-Final 2: Uttar Pradesh 37-30 Punjab
- Girls’ Final: Haryana 41-24 Uttar Pradesh (Haryana wins gold)
The 7th Khelo India Youth Games kabaddi event was part of a massive tournament involving over 9,300 athletes, coaches, and support staff from 36 states and Union Territories. Hosted by Bihar, the event featured 28 sports disciplines and over 2,400 medals. Kabaddi was a highlight, drawing attention for its competitive matches and young stars.
The opening ceremony on May 4, 2025, was attended virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya present in Patna. The event’s slogan, “Khelega Bihar, Khilega Bihar,” reflected Bihar’s commitment to sports. The kabaddi event, in particular, showed how traditional sports can inspire the next generation.
