State’s sports ecosystem to get a major boost: Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao

*Event a game-changer, big platform to build sports careers: Participants*

*Around 3,800 participants to take part; over 100 players from four states including Chhattisgarh*

*Competitions to be held in Raipur, Jagdalpur and Surguja*

Total 106 gold medals at stake

Raipur, Chhattisgarh is fully prepared to host the first Khelo India Tribal Games starting Wednesday, March 25. Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao said the event will “significantly boost the state’s sports ecosystem.” Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, he termed the Khelo India Tribal Games a “milestone” in India’s sporting history.

Shri Sao said earlier events like Surguja Olympic and Bastar Olympic were held on a smaller scale, and hosting the Khelo India Tribal Games marks a step towards a larger national platform that will strengthen sports talent and infrastructure in the state. He said the event will provide valuable exposure to athletes and enhance the state’s caacity to host national-level competitions.

Shri Sao added that competing alongside national and international-level athletes will enrich the experience of players from Chhattisgarh and strengthen both the sports ecosystem and athletes in the state.

A total of 30 states and Union Territories will participate in the games, with competitions in nine sports disciplines. Medals will be awarded in archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting and wrestling, while ‘mallakhamb’ and ‘kabaddi’ will be demonstration sports.

Around 3,800 participants will take part in the games, which will continue till April 3. Competitions will be organised in Raipur, Jagdalpur and Surguja. A total of 106 gold medals will be at stake. Athletics will have the highest 34 gold medals, followed by swimming 24, wrestling 18, weightlifting 16 and archery 10. Hockey and football team events will be held in Raipur, athletics in Jagdalpur and wrestling in Surguja.

Top Indian athletes, hockey Olympians Dilip Tirkey and Salima Tete, and leading sprinter Animesh Kujur said the Khelo India Tribal Games will provide a strong platform for tribal youth to build careers in sports and draw inspiration from accomplished athletes. Adding that it is a matter of great pride that such a championship is being launched in the country for the first time. Our Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, envisions India as a sporting nation and encourages every young person to be associated with some form of sport, added Shri Dilip Tirkey.

More than 100 players from host region including Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand and Assam will participate. The ratio of male and female athletes will be nearly 50-50, in line with gender equality principles. Players have been selected through trials conducted by national sports federations, and their performances will be monitored by coaches of the Sports Authority of India.

Shri Dilip Tirkey said that Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya also believes sports can help tribal athletes build better careers, improve their lives, and represent the country. He shared that he himself comes from a tribal family and reached this level through hockey. 

Sharing his thoughts national athlete Shri Animesh Kujur, a national record holder in 100m and 200m, said many regions in India still lack access to sports. The Khelo India Tribal Games are important in bringing tribal youth onto one platform and the government’s effort to connect and promote talent from across the country is worth appreciating.

Players for the Khelo India Tribal Games were selected through trials conducted by national sports federations. Their performance will be monitored by coaches appointed by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). Shri Tirkey said these athletes should showcase their talent, aim to represent India, and help build a strong sporting nation.

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