Raipur, April 3: The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games concluded on Friday in Chhattisgarh. The event saw the presence of India’s renowned female boxer Mary Kom and former football player Baichung Bhutia at the closing ceremony. Mary Kom emphasized that these games will significantly aid tribal athletes in their advancement.
Baichung Bhutia remarked that there is no shortage of talent among tribal athletes. He stated that these games provide a golden opportunity for them to showcase their abilities. “Tribal communities in India are known for their passion for sports. It has been proven that many tribal athletes have won medals for India at the Olympics and World Championships. Therefore, I believe there is immense hidden talent in tribal regions, and the Khelo India Tribal Games will allow them to demonstrate their skills,” he said.
Mary Kom praised the athletes who won medals during the tournament and encouraged those who returned empty-handed. “First, I would like to thank the Chhattisgarh government for inviting me to the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026. I truly appreciate the values of the tribal communities. The platform provided by the Chhattisgarh government will be highly beneficial. For the medal winners, a path forward has opened up,” she stated.
The boxing champion further added, “To those athletes who did not win any medals, I want to convey that they should not feel defeated. If I had given up, I wouldn’t have reached this point. Therefore, athletes who did not win medals should not lose hope. If they continue to practice diligently, they will surely win medals next time.” Mary Kom praised the initiative of the Chhattisgarh government in launching the Khelo India Tribal Games for tribal athletes.
In the Khelo India Tribal Games, Karnataka secured the highest number of gold medals, totaling 23. Odisha was the only state to claim over 50 medals, achieving a remarkable 57 in total. Karnataka won 23 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze medals, while Odisha earned 21 gold, 15 silver, and 21 bronze medals. Jharkhand followed with 16 gold, 8 silver, and 11 bronze medals.
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