00 Athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming and wrestling to be held between March 25 and April 6 
Raipur: The first Khelo India Tribal Games will be held in three cities of Chhattisgarh – Raipur, Jagdalpur and Surguja – from March 25 to April 6. This was announced by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday.

The Games will feature seven medal events – athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming, and wrestling. Two demo games – mallakhamb and kabaddi – will also be held. Athletes from most of India's states and union territories will participate in the Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG).

Dr. Mandaviya said, "The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of our growing efforts to provide opportunities and platforms to every young person who aspires to play. This is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a developed India, and sports play a huge role in this journey."
The logo, theme song, and mascot for the first Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) were formally launched on December 23 at the Late B.R. Yadav Sports Stadium in Bilaspur. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao were also present at the event.

Dr. Mandaviya emphasized that these games will play a crucial role in strengthening emerging talent from tribal areas. He said, "It is crucial to uncover talent from tribal areas, and continuously expanding our athlete base is the need of the hour. We are ensuring that talented youth from tribal communities are identified early, systematically supported, and integrated into the national sports infrastructure." The
Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 will be jointly organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Indian Olympic Association, the National Sports Federations, and the Chhattisgarh State Organizing Committee. The technical standards of these games will be maintained at par with international competitions.
The name of the official mascot, "Morveer," is rooted in Chhattisgarh's cultural heritage. It is derived from two words: "Mor," which means "my" or "our" in Chhattisgarhi, and "Veer," which symbolizes courage and valor. Morveer represents the spirit, pride, and identity of India's tribal communities.
Chhattisgarh has become the first state to host this important national event dedicated to tribal athletes, marking a significant milestone in India's sporting journey towards tribal empowerment and promotion of grassroots participation.
The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of the flagship Khelo India scheme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, which aims to increase public participation and promote excellence in sports. In 2020, the Khelo India Games were declared an 'Event of National Importance' under the Sports Broadcasting Signals Act, 2007.