Khelo India Tribal Games To Be Held From March 25 To April 6 In Chhattisgarh

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New Delhi, March 6: The inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) will be held from March 25 to April 6 in Chhattisgarh, with venues in Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Sarguja. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Thursday.

The Games will be held across seven disciplines: athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming and wrestling. Additionally, there will be two sports, mallakhamb and kabaddi, which will be demonstration sports in the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026. Athletes from across the country and Union Territories are expected to participate in the inaugural edition.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr Mandaviya said, "The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of our expanding footprint that offers an opportunity and scope to every young person wanting to play a sport. It is part of PM Narendra Modi's vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2024, and sports have a massive role to play in that journey."

The logo, theme song and mascot of the Games were officially unveiled at the Late B. R. Yadav Sports Stadium on December 23. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao attended the ceremony.

Mandaviya said the event would help strengthen the talent pool emerging from tribal regions across the country.

"Tapping talent from tribal regions is key and continuously expanding our athlete base is the requirement of the hour. We are ensuring that talented youngsters from tribal communities are identified early, supported systematically and integrated into the national sports framework," he added.

The Games will be jointly organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Sports Authority of India, the Indian Olympic Association, National Sports Federations and the Chhattisgarh state organising committee. Technical standards for the competition will be benchmarked against international events.

The official mascot, Morveer, draws from Chhattisgarh's cultural roots. The name combines "Mor," meaning "mine" or "our own" in Chhattisgarhi, with "Veer," symbolising courage and valour, representing the spirit and identity of India's tribal communities.

Chhattisgarh will become the first state to host the national event dedicated exclusively to tribal athletes, marking a significant step in promoting grassroots participation and tribal empowerment in Indian sports.

The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of the Khelo India Scheme, a flagship programme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports aimed at promoting mass participation and sporting excellence. The Khelo India Games were declared an "Event of National Importance" in 2020 under the Sports Broadcasting Signals (Mandatory Sharing with Prasar Bharati) Act, 2007.