Why in News? The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the first‑ever Khelo India Tribal Games to be held from 26 March to 6 April 2026. The multisport event will take place across three venues in Chhattisgarh—Raipur, Jagdalpur and Sarguja—and aims to promote sporting talent among India’s tribal communities.
Background
Khelo India is a national programme launched in 2018 to revive India’s sporting culture. It provides financial support for grassroots sports, identifies young talent and hosts annual university and youth games. Recognising the unique athletic traditions of tribal groups, the government has now dedicated a separate edition to them.
Key Features
- Venues and schedule: The games will be held in Chhattisgarh’s capital Raipur as well as the towns of Jagdalpur and Sarguja from 26 March to 6 April 2026.
- Sports events: There will be seven medal sports—athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming and wrestling. Two demonstration sports, mallakhamb (a traditional Indian gymnastics discipline) and kabaddi, will showcase cultural heritage.
- Objectives: The games aim to nurture sporting talent in tribal districts, provide exposure to athletes, and encourage parents to support sports as a career. They also seek to preserve indigenous games and promote social inclusion.
- Mascot: The event’s mascot, “Morveer,” depicts a bird native to Chhattisgarh and symbolises courage and determination.
- Organisation: The games are organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India and Indian Olympic Association, with support from state governments.
The Tribal Games reflect India’s commitment to inclusive sports development. They will identify promising athletes from remote areas and provide a platform for representation at national and international levels.
