Khelo India Beach Games 2026 Set to Energize Diu with National Sports Showcase
Khelo India Beach Games 2026: A National Sporting Celebration
The picturesque coastline of Diu is gearing up to host the Khelo India Beach Games 2026 from January 5 to 10, 2026, transforming it into a lively national sports venue that celebrates both beach and indigenous sports.
This second edition of the Games is expected to attract over 1,300 athletes from 31 States and Union Territories, showcasing the increasing popularity of beach sports within India's athletic community, as highlighted in a release from the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
Competitions will span six medal events: Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Beach Sepaktakraw, Beach Kabaddi, Beach Pencak Silat, and Open Water Swimming, with a total of 786 athletes participating, including 366 women and 420 men, reflecting the Khelo India initiative's commitment to inclusivity.
Participation by discipline includes 263 athletes in Beach Sepaktakraw, 157 in Beach Pencak Silat, 156 in Beach Soccer, 96 in Beach Kabaddi, 64 in Beach Volleyball, and 50 in Open Water Swimming, showcasing the diverse range of beach and water sports.
Additionally, traditional Indian sports like Mallakhamb and Tug of War will be featured as non-competitive demonstrations, involving 336 athletes, emphasizing the Games' dedication to preserving and promoting India's rich sporting heritage.
Athletes from both coastal and inland regions will gather on Diu's sandy shores, highlighting the event's national character, with strong representations from states such as Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Manipur, as well as Union Territories like Chandigarh, Puducherry, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.
Manipur, having excelled in the previous Khelo India cycle with 14 medals, including five golds, enters this year's Beach Games with heightened confidence, setting the stage for intense competition.
Beyond the pursuit of medals, the Khelo India Beach Games 2026 aim to foster a broader sporting culture by promoting emerging beach sports, encouraging youth engagement beyond traditional disciplines, and enhancing community pride and cultural identity.
As India's sporting landscape continues to evolve, the Khelo India Beach Games 2026 promise an exciting mix of competition, culture, and coastal charm, turning Diu into a center of athletic excellence and national celebration.