Chhattisgarh | Tribal talent hunt
The Khelo India Tribal Games may mark a new chapter in nurturing Adivasi sporting genius
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai during the grand opening of the 'Khelo India' event, in Raipur (Photo: PTI)
ISSUE DATE: Apr 6, 2026 | UPDATED: Mar 27, 2026 20:21 IST
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.