The inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) will be held from March 25 to April 6 across three cities in Chhattisgarh — Raipur, Jagdalpur and Sarguja, Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Friday.
The Games will feature seven medal sports — athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming and wrestling — while mallakhamb and kabaddi will be included as demonstration sports. Athletes from most states and Union Territories are expected to participate in the event.
Highlighting the broader vision behind the initiative, Dr Mandaviya said the Khelo India Tribal Games are part of efforts to expand sporting opportunities across the country.
“The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of our expanding footprint that offers an opportunity and scope to every young person wanting to play a sport. It is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and sports has a massive role to play in that journey,” he said.
The logo, theme song and mascot of the first-ever KITG were formally unveiled on December 23 at the Late B.R. Yadav Sports Stadium in Bilaspur. The ceremony was attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao.
Dr Mandaviya emphasised that the Games would help strengthen the sporting talent pool emerging from tribal regions.
“Tapping talent from tribal regions is key and continuously expanding our athlete base is the requirement of the hour. We are ensuring that talented youngsters from tribal communities are identified early, supported systematically, and integrated into the national sports framework,” he said.
The 2026 edition of the Games will be jointly organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India (SAI), Indian Olympic Association, National Sports Federations and the Chhattisgarh state organising committee, with technical standards benchmarked against international competitions.
The official mascot ‘Morveer’ reflects the cultural ethos of Chhattisgarh. The name combines the Chhattisgarhi word ‘Mor’, meaning “mine” or “our own”, with ‘Veer’, symbolising courage and valour, representing the pride and identity of India’s tribal communities.
The Games are part of the Khelo India Scheme, a flagship Central Sector initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports that promotes mass participation and sporting excellence. The Khelo India Games were declared an “Event of National Importance” in 2020 under the Sports Broadcasting Signals Act, 2007.
