Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Chhattisgarh | 11 Mar 2026

Why in News? 

The Government of India has announced the first edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 to be hosted by Chhattisgarh, aimed at promoting sports among tribal youth and identifying grassroots sporting talent across the country. 

Key Points: 

• About: The Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) will be organised from 25 March to 6 April 2026 to promote participation of tribal athletes and strengthen sports development in tribal regions of India. 
• Venues: The inaugural edition will be hosted by Chhattisgarh across three cities—Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Sarguja.  
  • The games will feature seven medal sports: athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming, and wrestling.  
  • Additionally, Mallakhamb and Kabaddi will be included as demonstration sports. 
• Participation: Athletes from various states and Union Territories of India are expected to participate, providing a national platform for tribal sportspersons to showcase their talent. 
• Organisation: The event will be jointly organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India, Indian Olympic Association, national sports federations, and the Chhattisgarh state organising committee. 
  • Mascot: The official mascot of the games is “Morveer”, symbolising courage and pride of India’s tribal communities.  
• Khelo India Scheme: The Tribal Games are part of the Khelo India Scheme, a flagship Central Sector Scheme aimed at promoting mass participation in sports and developing sporting excellence across India. 
• Significance: The initiative aims to identify and nurture sporting talent from tribal communities, promote inclusivity in sports, and integrate tribal athletes into the national sports ecosystem.