New Delhi, March 6 The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) will be held in three cities of Chhattisgarh – Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Sarguja – between March 26 and April 6.
The KITG will feature seven medal sports – athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming, and wrestling. There will also be two demonstration sports – mallakhamb and kabaddi. The Games will see participation from most states and Union Territories of India.
"The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of our expanding presence that offers an opportunity and scope for every young person who wants to play a sport. It is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047, and sports has a crucial role to play in that journey," said Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
The logo, theme song, and mascot of the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games were formally unveiled at the Late B R Yadav Sports Stadium in Bilaspur on December 23.
Mandaviya emphasized how the Games will strengthen the talent pool emerging from tribal areas.
"Identifying and nurturing talent from tribal regions is key, and continuously expanding our athlete base is essential. We are ensuring that talented youngsters from tribal communities are identified early, provided systematic support, and integrated into the national sports framework," he said.
The KITG 2026 will be jointly managed by the Sports Ministry, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Indian Olympic Association, National Sports Federations, and the Chhattisgarh state organizing committee, with technical standards benchmarked against international competitions.
The official mascot, 'Morveer', is a name deeply rooted in Chhattisgarh's cultural ethos. Derived from two powerful words, 'Mor' meaning 'mine or our own' in Chhattisgarhi, and 'Veer', symbolizing courage and valor. 'Morveer' represents the spirit, pride, and identity of India's tribal communities.
Chhattisgarh becoming the first state to host the national event, dedicated exclusively to tribal athletes, marks a significant milestone in India's sporting journey aimed at tribal empowerment and grassroots inclusion.
The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of the Khelo India Scheme, a flagship Central Sector Scheme of the Sports Ministry.
