New Delhi, March 6 – The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games will be held from March 26 to April 6 in three cities of Chhattisgarh: Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Sarguja, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, announced on Friday.
The Games will feature seven medal sports – athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming, and wrestling. There will also be two demonstration sports – mallakhamb and kabaddi. The Khelo India Tribal Games will feature participation from most states and Union Territories of India.
“The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of our expanding efforts to provide opportunities for young people who want to play sports. They are a key component of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India by 2024, and sports will play a crucial role in achieving this goal,” said Dr. Mandaviya.
The logo, theme song, and mascot of the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) were formally unveiled at the Late B. R. Yadav Sports Stadium in Bilaspur on December 23. The launch ceremony was attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao.
Mandaviya emphasized how the Games will strengthen the talent pool emerging from tribal areas. “Identifying and nurturing talent from tribal regions is crucial, and continuously expanding our athlete base is essential. We are ensuring that talented young people from tribal communities are identified early, provided with systematic support, and integrated into the national sports framework,” added Mandaviya.
The KITG 2026 will be jointly managed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, 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 this landmark 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 Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, aimed at promoting mass participation and sporting excellence. The Khelo India Games were declared an ‘Event of National Importance’ in 2020 under the Sports Broadcasting.
