Raipur, March 20: Chhattisgarh is fully prepared to host the inaugural ‘Khelo India Tribal Games’ from March 25 to April 3. This competition will take place in Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Ambikapur, featuring approximately 3,700 athletes from across the country.
This is the first time national-level tribal games are being organized, marking a proud moment for the state. Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai stated that this event will provide a national platform for tribal youth to showcase their talents and advance in their careers.
He remarked, “Hosting the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 is a moment of pride for Chhattisgarh. The youth are the future of our nation and state, and the government is fully committed to empowering them through education, employment, skill development, and sports. This event will not only highlight the remarkable talent of our tribal athletes but also give them recognition on a national stage.”
Chhattisgarh’s selection to host this event is attributed to its rich tribal sports traditions and successful past events like the Bastar Olympics and Surguja Olympics. These competitions have seen participation from millions of players, showcasing the high enthusiasm for sports in the state. Tribal athletes are known for their strong physical capabilities and discipline. Senior football coach Sarita Kujur Toppo noted that tribal players are highly disciplined and possess better endurance compared to urban athletes. Their diet, rich in millet, moringa, and green vegetables, contributes to their strength and energy.
Many talented athletes will participate, including 23-year-old international football player Kiran Bista, who competed in the 2025 Asian Football Championship. Alongside Kiran, young players from Kondagaon, such as Rashi Poyam, Madwai Pooja, and Shraddha Pradhani, aspire to build careers in sports.
Modern sports facilities in Chhattisgarh have boosted the morale of tribal athletes. The government-run residential and day-boarding training centers provide advanced coaching with top-notch equipment. These centers also offer balanced and nutritious meals prepared by nutritionists, enhancing the athletes’ health and performance. Tribal students can train in sports for up to three years while continuing their education, allowing them to excel in both fields.
Raipur’s archery academy is equipped with around 12 sets of ‘recurve and compound’ bows, used in Olympic sports, each valued at approximately 400,000 rupees. The sports infrastructure in Chhattisgarh is robust, with several world-class facilities developed in the past two years. A synthetic hockey turf costing about 49.9 million rupees has been established in Jashpur, while a synthetic athletic track worth around 66 million rupees has been created in Mahasamund. Additionally, a synthetic turf football field, including a running track, has been built in Jagdalpur at a cost of about 50 million rupees.
From March 25 to April 3, Chhattisgarh will host the ‘National Tribal Games,’ featuring competitions in seven sports, along with demonstrations of Kabaddi and Mallakhamb. Events will include hockey, football, swimming, weightlifting, and archery in Raipur, athletics in Jagdalpur, and wrestling in Ambikapur. Kabaddi and Mallakhamb will be showcased as demonstration sports in Raipur and Ambikapur, respectively.
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