Chhattisgarh | Tribal talent hunt
The Khelo India Tribal Games may mark a new chapter in nurturing Adivasi sporting genius
Identifying sportingtalent among tribals is an idea that has been pursued, with some success, since the Special Area Games project of the 1980s. The Centre has now embarked on a fresh chapter in this initiative, bringing it under the Union sports ministry’s flagship Khelo India scheme to broadbase sports. Result: the first Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) in Chhattisgarh. The event, running from March 26 to April 6, would be an all-tribal competition. And one with a truly national footprint, with as many 31 states and Union Territories sending contingents of Adivasi sports talent.
Identifying sportingtalent among tribals is an idea that has been pursued, with some success, since the Special Area Games project of the 1980s. The Centre has now embarked on a fresh chapter in this initiative, bringing it under the Union sports ministry’s flagship Khelo India scheme to broadbase sports. Result: the first Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) in Chhattisgarh. The event, running from March 26 to April 6, would be an all-tribal competition. And one with a truly national footprint, with as many 31 states and Union Territories sending contingents of Adivasi sports talent.
Spread over three locations in the state—Raipur, Ambikapur and Jagdalpur—KITG 2026 will feature seven disciplines: hockey, athletics, football, weightlifting, archery, swimming and wrestling. Besides, malkhambh and kabaddi come in as demonstration sports. The choice of disciplines was governed by those in which Adivasis have demonstrated talent and excellence in the past.
EARLY HARVEST
What’s the idea behind having tribals compete with tribals? The objective is to revive sporting culture at the grassroots, identify talent and build supportive infrastructure. “Tapping talent from tribal regions is key, and continuously expanding our athlete base is the requirement of the hour,” explains Union sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The event aims to fulfil both imperatives at once, from early talent-spotting to integrating promising youth into “the national sports framework”.
Political watchers in Chhattisgarh also see a link between the timing of the Games and the deadline announced by Union home minister Amit Shah to end left-wing extremism in the state. “The event can be seen as marking that social shift,” says a BJP leader.
For the past two years, the Chhattisgarh government has been organising a Bastar Olympics. The previous Bhupesh Baghel government, too, had organised ‘Chhattisgarhia Olympics’—a pan-state event with the focus on local sports like gedi and pitthu. For all the political symbolism, the state has not fared too well in sports. In the National Games 2025, Chhattisgarh stood 25th in a field of 37. Perhaps 2026 will help take aim anew.
