The launch of Khelo India Tribal Games from Chhattisgarh is historic — Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
Government committed to giving a new sky to sports talents — Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai
Raipur, Bastar, and Surguja emerge as national sporting hubs, hosting around 2,500 players from 30 States and Union erritories across nine disciplines.
Raipur (thestates.news) | The land of Chhattisgarh witnessed a historic moment on late Wednesday evening as the country’s first ‘Khelo India Tribal Games 2026’ was grandly inaugurated at the Science College Ground in the state capital Raipur.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, while officially announcing this national event, stated that the state government is fully committed to promoting sports talent and strengthening sports infrastructure. Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya attended the dignified occasion as the chief guest.
This sporting mega event is being organized from March 25 to April 3 in Raipur, Bastar and Surguja, where around 2,500 players from 30 States and Union Territories across the country are showcasing their talent in 9 sporting disciplines. The presence of Hockey India President Shri Dilip Tirkey and Olympic medalist Sushri Saikhom Mirabai Chanu added special prestige to the event.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, in his address, said that it is a matter of great fortune for Chhattisgarh that the first Khelo India Tribal Games of the country are being organized in the maternal home of Lord Shri Ram. He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya on behalf of the three crore people of Chhattisgarh. He said that continuous efforts are being made to nurture sports talent in the state. Participation of four lakh people in Bastar Olympics and three-and-a-half lakh people in Surguja Olympics proves the deep interest of the tribal community in sports. He specifically mentioned that surrendered Naxalites also returned to the mainstream through ‘Nuabat’ (new path) and participated in these events—symbolizing change and trust.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that enthusiasm and efforts for sports have doubled under the double-engine government. The state government has launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Khel Utkarsh Mission’, under which a provision of Rs 100 crore has been made for sports infrastructure development and identification of talent.
