Chhattisgarh to host first Khelo India tribal games from March 25

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh will host the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) from March 25 to April 6, with competitions spread across Raipur, Jagdalpur and Surguja divisions, marking the first national multi-sport event dedicated exclusively to tribal athletes.The games will feature seven medal sports — athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming and wrestling, while mallakhamb and kabaddi will be held as demonstration events. Athletes from most states and union territories are expected to participate.Union minister for youth affairs and sports Mansukh Mandaviya announced the schedule describing the initiative as part of the Centre’s push to widen the sporting ecosystem and bring more young people from tribal regions into the national talent pipeline.

“Tapping talent from tribal areas and expanding our athlete base is the need of the hour. We want talented youngsters from tribal communities to be identified early, supported systematically and integrated into the national sports framework,” the minister added.KITG 2026 will be jointly organised by the ministry of youth affairs and sports, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association, national sports federations and the Chhattisgarh state organising committee, with technical standards aligned with international competitions.