Surguja, April 5: The Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) concluded with grandeur in Surguja, Chhattisgarh, on Saturday. The event took place across three major cities in Chhattisgarh: Raipur, Ambikapur, and Jagdalpur.
In the first phase of the competition held in Ambikapur, wrestling was featured, followed by the Malkhamb event in the second phase, which wrapped up at Gandhi Stadium on Saturday. During the closing ceremony, officials and public representatives distributed awards to the athletes.
Chhattisgarh’s team showcased remarkable dominance in the Malkhamb competition. Overall, the state secured the first position, winning gold medals in both boys’ and girls’ categories. In total, Chhattisgarh claimed 5 gold and 1 silver medal. Additionally, athletes from other states also earned medals in various individual events.
The atmosphere during the closing ceremony was filled with enthusiasm from the Chhattisgarh team. Notably, players from Jharkhand celebrated their first-ever medals in this competition.
Dr. Raj Kumar Sharma, Secretary of the Malkhamb Federation of India, stated that Chhattisgarh emerged as the gold medalist in the team championship. This inaugural event is expected to be proposed for inclusion as a major medal event by the central government in the future.
Sports officer Ram Kumar described the event as a success, noting that players and coaches from various states expressed satisfaction with the arrangements, which is a point of pride for the state. He praised the outstanding performance of Chhattisgarh athletes while also acknowledging the commendable efforts of teams from other states.
Gold medalist Santa Potai expressed her joy, stating that she has been practicing Malkhamb since 2018, and winning a gold medal in her home state was a moment of pride for her. She highlighted the event as a significant opportunity for athletes to showcase their talents.
In the first edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games, nearly 3,800 athletes from 30 states and union territories participated in 9 sports. Karnataka topped the medal tally with 23 gold medals, while Odisha secured the highest overall with 57 medals.
Host state Chhattisgarh also displayed exceptional sporting talent among the tribal community, achieving 3 gold, 10 silver, and 6 bronze medals, finishing in ninth place. Chhattisgarh’s last medal came in men’s football on Saturday, where they faced a 0-1 defeat against West Bengal in the finals.
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My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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