The Khelo India Tribal Games, set to commence from March 26 to April 6, will take place in three cities of Chhattisgarh: Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Sarguja. This inaugural edition will showcase seven medal sports including athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming, and wrestling, along with two demonstration sports – mallakhamb and kabaddi. The event aims to provide a platform for young athletes from tribal areas across India.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Mansukh Mandaviya, emphasized the significance of these games in nurturing talent from tribal regions. The Khelo India Tribal Games align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2024, with a focus on leveraging sports for national progress. The event launch featured the unveiling of the logo, theme song, and mascot ‘Morveer’ at the Late B. R. Yadav Sports Stadium in Bilaspur on December 23.
Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the importance of early identification and systematic support for talented youngsters from tribal communities. The Games will be jointly managed by various sports organizations and the Chhattisgarh state organizing committee, ensuring technical standards on par with international competitions. ‘Morveer’, the official mascot, embodies the courage and pride of India’s tribal heritage, symbolizing the spirit and identity of tribal communities.
Chhattisgarh’s role as the first state to host the Khelo India Tribal Games signifies a significant step towards empowering tribal athletes and promoting grassroots inclusion in the country’s sports landscape. The Games are an integral part of the Khelo India Scheme, a flagship initiative aimed at fostering mass participation and sporting excellence, recognized as an ‘Event of National Importance’ in 2020.
