Khelo India Tribal Games: A Historic Event for Athletes Across the Nation

The Khelo India Tribal Games have officially begun in Chhattisgarh, bringing together nearly 1,300 athletes from across the nation. With 106 gold medals up for grabs in various sports, including athletics and traditional games, this event marks a significant milestone for tribal athletes. Odisha leads the contingent with 125 participants, while Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Assam also showcase strong teams. Prominent figures like Dilip Tirkey emphasize the importance of this initiative in promoting sports among youth. The Games will conclude on April 3, promising an exciting display of talent and competition.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 25, 2026, 10:04 IST

Inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games Kick Off

Raipur is set to host the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games, featuring nearly 1,300 athletes competing in nine different sports starting Wednesday.

The event will take place across three locations in Chhattisgarh: Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Sarguja, with a total of 106 gold medals available.

Odisha leads the way with the largest team, sending 125 athletes among the 30 states and union territories participating.

Chhattisgarh, the host state, will have 121 athletes, followed by Jharkhand with 107 and Assam with 106 competitors.

Gold medals will be contested in sports such as archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling.

Additionally, traditional sports like mallakhamb and kabaddi will be showcased as demonstration events.

In total, around 3,800 individuals, including coaches and officials, are expected to participate, with the Games concluding on April 3.

Dilip Tirkey, a prominent tribal hockey player and current head of Hockey India, expressed pride in the event's inception, highlighting it as a significant opportunity for tribal youth to display their skills and aspire to represent the nation.

He emphasized the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to foster a sporting culture in India, encouraging youth to engage in various sports.

Athletics will offer the most gold medals, totaling 34, while swimming (24), wrestling (18), weightlifting (16), and archery (10) will also feature substantial medal counts.

Team sports like hockey and football will be played in Raipur, with athletics scheduled for Jagdalpur and wrestling in Sarguja.

Animesh Kujur, the national record holder in the 100m and 200m sprints, shared his thoughts on the importance of the Games, noting that many regions in India lack access to sports, making this event particularly meaningful.

All athletes have qualified through trials organized by the National Sports Federations, and their performances will be overseen by coaches from the Sports Authority of India.