Kumar Bahukhandi
In Short
Tribal Talent Finds a National Stage; Khelo India Tribal Games Become a Gateway to New Opportunities – Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao
Prize Money Announced: ₹2 Lakhs for Gold, ₹1.5 Lakhs for Silver, and ₹1 Lakh for Bronze in Individual Events; ₹1 Lakh for Gold, ₹75,000 for Silver, and ₹50,000 for Bronze in Team Events
Khelo India Tribal Games to be Hosted Annually in Chhattisgarh
Boxer Mary Kom and Footballer Bhaichung Bhutia Grace the Closing Ceremony
Raipur: Addressing the closing ceremony of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, held at the Pandit Deendayal Auditorium in Raipur, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai remarked that the enthusiasm and energy witnessed on the sacred soil of Chhattisgarh over the past 10 days have captured the attention of the entire nation. He stated that this event has proven to be a unique opportunity to provide a platform for the country’s tribal talent and to showcase their sporting potential.
In his address, Chief Minister Sai expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, noting that it was due to his vision and guidance that Chhattisgarh received the honor of hosting the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games at the national level. Furthermore, appreciating the continuous support of the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, he observed that through his efforts, Chhattisgarh has today secured a prominent position on the country’s sporting map. He announced that these Games will now be hosted annually in Chhattisgarh—a matter of immense pride for the state.
Chief Minister Sai emphasised that the bond between tribal communities and sports dates back centuries. Sports such as archery, running, and wrestling have long been an integral part of tribal life. Drawing upon his own tribal background, he asserted that tribal communities possess immense inherent energy and talent—potential that, when provided with the right platform, can achieve recognition both within the country and across the globe, Sai added.
He stated that this event has emerged not merely as a sports competition, but as a grand confluence—a ‘Mahakumbh’—of the nation’s unity, culture, and talent. Tribal athletes from 30 states and Union Territories across the country participated in the event, showcasing their prowess. This initiative marks a significant step toward empowering tribal youth and strengthening sports at the grassroots level, the CM noted.
Chief Minister Sai remarked that the athletes competed not solely for victory, but to script new narratives of courage and excellence. They have proven that talent is not confined to major cities; rather, it abounds in the remote regions of Bastar, Surguja, Jharkhand, and the Northeast.
During the ceremony, Chief Minister Sai congratulated the athletes from Karnataka, Odisha, and Jharkhand for securing the first, second, and third positions, respectively, in the medal tally.
Furthermore, expressing his pride in the performance of Chhattisgarh’s athletes, he noted that the state had secured a total of 19 medals (3 Gold, 10 Silver, and 6 Bronze). Highlighting the athletes’ achievements, he mentioned that in swimming, Anushka Bhagat won 4 silver medals, while Nikhil Khalkho and Nyasa Paikra also brought laurels to the state by winning medals. In athletics, Siddharth Nagesh won both gold and silver medals, while other athletes also delivered outstanding performances.
In weightlifting, Nikita brought honor to the daughters of the state by winning a gold medal. The girls’ football team won a gold medal, and the boys’ hockey team won a bronze medal, thereby enhancing the state’s prestige. Inspiring all the athletes for the future, he affirmed that through continuous hard work and dedication, they could achieve success on both national and international platforms.
On this occasion, Chief Minister Sai also announced cash prizes for the medal winners. In individual events, a prize of ₹2 lakh will be awarded for a gold medal, ₹1.5 lakh for a silver medal, and ₹1 lakh for a bronze medal. Similarly, for team events, cash prizes of ₹1 lakh for gold, ₹75,000 for silver, and ₹50,000 for bronze were announced. In conclusion, the Chief Minister congratulated all the athletes, coaches, the organising committee, officials, and partner organisations for making this historic event a success, and expressed confidence that Chhattisgarh would emerge as a major hub for tribal sports in the times to come.
Wishing all the athletes a bright future, he remarked that their hard work would undoubtedly take them to the Olympics and international platforms.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, Arun Sao, congratulated everyone on the successful organisation of the event, noting that tribal athletes from across the country participated in this “Sports Mahakumbh” (grand sports festival) with immense enthusiasm and energy.
He highlighted that this marked the first instance where tribal games were organised on such a grand scale, thereby providing athletes with a unique opportunity to showcase their talents and advance to the national level. Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, he stated that the successful realisation of this event was made possible under their guidance.
DY CM Sao affirmed that the State Government ensured excellent arrangements for the athletes—ranging from their arrival to their accommodation, meals, and other amenities throughout the duration of the competition. Furthermore, efforts were made to provide them with an authentic experience of Chhattisgarh’s rich culture and hospitality.
He expressed confidence that, in the coming years, this event would be organised on an even more magnificent scale. He extended his congratulations to the teams that delivered outstanding performances in the medal tally and also lauded the performance of the athletes from Chhattisgarh.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel congratulated all the athletes, officials, and organisers on the successful conduct of the event.
He noted that over 2,000 tribal athletes and officials from across the country participated in this event, thereby elevating the competition to the status of a significant national-level platform. He emphasised that the State Government successfully organised this event with the specific objective of providing opportunities to tribal talents.
This platform serves to empower athletes by offering them the opportunity to hone their skills and prepare themselves for participation in national and international competitions. Vikash Sheel added.
International boxer Mary Kom and footballer Bhaichung Bhutia also graced the occasion as special guests. Additionally, the event was attended by Cabinet Minister Rajesh Agarwal, Purandar Mishra, General Secretary of the Chhattisgarh Olympic Association Vikram Sisodia, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Telghani Development Board Jitendra Kumar Sahu, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Civil Supplies Corporation Sanjay Srivastava, Chairperson of the Chhattisgarh Film Development Corporation Mona Sen, Secretary of the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare Yashwant Kumar, Raipur Commissioner Sanjeev Shukla, elected representatives, and senior government officials, alongside a large contingent of athletes who had traveled from various parts of the country were present on the occasion .
