By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneshwar, September 5, 2022: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday congratulated the Odisha Juggernauts on clinching the title of the inaugural edition of Ultimate Kho Kho, and announced prize money of Rs 1 crore for the team.

Champion Odisha Juggernauts were awarded with whooping INR one crore prize money and also the coveted trophy while the second-placed Telugu Yoddhas took home Rs 50 lakhs.

“Congratulate @odjuggernauts on scripting history by winning the first @ultimatekhokho League. Glad to announce Rs One crore prize money for the team for achieving this feat. May the team continue to bring glory & make #Odisha proud. #OdishaForSports,” Naveen tweeted.

Earlier on Sunday, Suraj Lande’s sensational skydive helped Odisha Juggernauts clinch the title of the inaugural edition of Ultimate Kho Kho after beating Telugu Yoddhas by 46-45 in a thrilling final at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Mahalunge, Pune, and Maharashtra.

Earlier, famous Bollywood singer Mohit Chauhan sang the national anthem in style to kick start the blockbuster final. The Lions Crew, which won a bronze medal in the 2021 World Hip Hop Dance Championship, also exhibited a dazzling performance celebrating India’s first-ever franchise-based Kho-Kho league.

Telugu Yoddhas, the first team to reach 100 defensive points in Ultimate Kho Kho, responded well after switching positions as they not only restricted Odisha Juggernauts to 13 points but also added eight points with the help of Adarsh Mohite’s 4.12-minute defence. However, Odisha Juggernaut kept themselves ahead with a narrow 23-20 lead at the end of the nail-biting first innings.