Khelo India Tribal Games To Be Held From March 26 To April 6 In Chhattisgarh: Mandaviya

(MENAFN- IANS) New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) The inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games will be held from March 26 to April 6 in three cities of Chhattisgarh: Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Sarguja, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Friday.

The Games will feature seven medal sports – athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming, and wrestling. There will be two demonstration sports – mallakhamb and kabaddi. KITG will see participation from most states and Union Territories of India.

“The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of our expanding efforts to provide opportunities for every young person wanting to participate in sports. It is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2024, and sports play a vital role in that journey,” said Dr. Mandaviya.

The logo, theme song, and mascot of the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) were officially unveiled at the Late B. R. Yadav Sports Stadium in Bilaspur on December 23. The launch ceremony was attended by Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao.

Mandaviya emphasized how the Games will help develop talent from tribal areas. “Tapping talent from tribal regions is essential, and continuously expanding our athlete base is the need of the hour. We are ensuring that talented young people from tribal communities are identified early, supported systematically, and integrated into the national sports framework,” Mandaviya added.

The KITG 2026 will be jointly organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association, National Sports Federations, and the Chhattisgarh state organizing committee, with technical standards aligned with international competitions.

The official mascot, ‘Morveer,’ is a name deeply rooted in Chhattisgarh’s cultural heritage. Derived from two powerful words – ‘Mor,’ meaning mine or our own in Chhattisgarhi, and ‘Veer,’ symbolizing courage and bravery – Morveer represents the spirit, pride, and identity of India’s tribal communities.

Chhattisgarh becoming the first state to host this landmark national event, dedicated exclusively to tribal athletes, marks a significant milestone in India’s sporting journey aimed at tribal empowerment and grassroots inclusion.

The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of the Khelo India Scheme, a flagship Central Sector scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, aimed at promoting mass participation and sporting excellence. Khelo India Games were declared an ‘Event of National Importance’ in 2020 under the Sports Broadcasting Signals Act, 2007.