Source: PIB
Subject: Miscellaneous
Context: Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports announced that the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) will be held in Chhattisgarh from 25 March to 6 April 2026.
About Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG):
What it is?
- The Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) is a national-level multi-sport event dedicated exclusively to tribal athletes across India.
- It is organised under the Khelo India Scheme, a flagship programme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to promote sports culture and excellence.
Host and Venue:
- Host State: Chhattisgarh
- Host Cities: Raipur, Jagdalpur and Sarguja
Aim of the Games:
- To identify and nurture sporting talent from tribal regions at an early stage.
- To promote mass participation in sports among tribal youth.
- To integrate talented tribal athletes into the national sports ecosystem and support India’s vision of Viksit Bharat.
Sports Involved
- Medal Sports (7):
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- Athletics, Football, Hockey, Weightlifting, Archery, Swimming, and Wrestling
- Demonstration Sports (2):
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- Mallakhamb and Kabaddi
Key Features:
- First-ever national sporting event exclusively for tribal athletes in India.
- Competitions will follow technical standards aligned with international sporting events.
- The official mascot Morveer symbolizes courage, pride and identity of tribal communities.
- Organised as part of the broader Khelo India initiative, declared an Event of National Importance in 2020 under the Sports Broadcasting Signals Act, 2007.
Significance
- Promotes tribal empowerment and social inclusion through sports.
- Helps discover raw sporting talent from remote tribal regions.
