The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games will be held from 25 March to 6 April across Raipur, Jagdalpur and Sarguja in Chhattisgarh. The event is designed to expand sporting opportunities for tribal youth and strengthen the talent pipeline from tribal regions. Athletes from most States and Union Territories are expected to take part. The Games form part of the wider Khelo India framework, which aims to promote mass participation and sporting excellence.
Event Schedule and Venues
The Games will be hosted in three cities of Chhattisgarh:
- Raipur
- Jagdalpur
- Sarguja
The multi-city format is intended to improve reach and participation. It also reflects the effort to bring major sporting events closer to regions with strong indigenous sporting potential.
Sports Included in the Games
Seven medal sports will be contested in the inaugural edition:
- Athletics
- Football
- Hockey
- Weightlifting
- Archery
- Swimming
- Wrestling
Two traditional sports, mallakhamb and kabaddi, will be included as demonstration events. This mix of modern and indigenous disciplines is meant to widen participation and showcase local sporting culture.
Objectives and Institutional Support
The Games are linked to the vision of identifying tribal talent early and integrating it into the national sports system. The mascot, ‘Morveer’, reflects Chhattisgarh’s cultural identity and tribal pride. The name combines ‘Mor’, meaning mine or our own, with ‘Veer’, symbolising courage and valour. The 2026 edition 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.
Khelo India Framework and National Importance
The Khelo India Scheme is a flagship Central Sector initiative of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. It promotes sports at the grassroots level and supports elite athlete development. The Khelo India Games were declared an Event of National Importance in 2020 under the Sports Broadcasting Signals Act, 2007. The Tribal Games are expected to deepen this framework by focusing on tribal communities and regional sporting ecosystems.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026