Latest Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 News & Updates

Ambikapur, April 4 (IANS) The saying ‘talent needs no introduction’ found a fitting example at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, where wrestlers from Karnataka’s Siddi community have made a powerful statement on the mat. Their success is no longer just about medals—it reflects the emergence of an entire community as a force in wrestling. Of African descent, there are about 50,000 Siddis in India of which one-third live in Karnataka.Out of the nine wrestlers representing Karnataka at KIT…

Raipur, April 3 (IANS) The maiden, inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, hosted by Chhattisgarh, concluded on Friday on a high note with Karnataka emerging as the overall champion.​ The multi-sport event, aimed at unearthing hidden talent from tribal and remote areas of the country, witnessed enthusiastic participation and several outstanding performances.​Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, while congratulating the participating athletes, made a significant announcement to boost sports in the…

Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh), April 1 (IANS) On December 29, 2025, Bethlyne Grace Makri’s coaches at the SAI Sports Training Centre (STC) in Shillong suddenly saw a spark in her as a race-walker. Ironically, Bethlyne herself knew very little about the event, including its technical requirements.Until last year, the young athlete from Meghalaya competed as a middle- and long-distance runner. However, at the beginning of 2026, she was instructed to change disciplines, challenging her physical and me…

Raipur, March 31 (IANS) Shiv Kumar Soren and Prithvi Oraon, both from Jharkhand, were crowned the fastest men and women athletes in the inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 at the Kreeda Parisar ground in Jagdalpur on Tuesday. Further, Siddharth Nagesh clinched a shot put gold and discus throw silver while Tilak Barsel bagged the men’s 100m silver for hosts Chhattisgarh.Shiv Kumar and Prithvi led their 100m races respectively from start to finish to capture the golden double …

Raipur, March 30 (IANS) Arunachal Pradesh’s middle-distance runner Nedi Ngi clinched the women’s 5000m gold while Maharashtra completed an impressive 1-2 in the men’s category before unseasonal rains forced the organisers to cancel the evening session on the opening day of athletics competitions on day 6 of the in the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 on Monday.Ngi held herself back till the last lap before sprinting in the final 200m to seal the gold medal with a time of 18:24.66s while Mahar…

Raipur, March 29 (IANS) Jharkhand and Himachal Pradesh clinched two gold medals each on the opening day of wrestling competition in Ambikapur while Mizoram bagged a couple of gold medals to wrap up the weightlifting competition on the fifth day of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 here in Raipur on Sunday.Jharkhand opened their gold medal account with Poonam Oraon winning the women’s 50kg final against Geetha K of Telangana 6-3 while Anjit Kumar Munda won the men’s 67kg Greco Roman final bea…

Raipur, March 28 (IANS) Weightlifter Nikita ended hosts Chhattisgarh’s wait for a gold medal while Odisha’s women swimmers clinched all the three gold medals on offer on the fourth day of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 here on Saturday.Nikita dominated the women’s 77kg weightlifting event to comfortably win the gold medal in the last event of the day while Odisha won gold medals through Ritika Minz (100m freestyle), Anjali Munda (50m Backstroke) and 4×100 medley relay team. Anjali finis…

Raipur, March 27 (IANS) “Perhaps he’s busy at the construction site,” Monikha Sonowal quipped as she tried calling her father again. Moments earlier, Monikha had clinched the gold medal in the women’s 48kg weightlifting category at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 here and wanted to convey the news to her father Padmadhar Sonowal, a mason who spends long days at construction sites to support his family of four and has been the 19-year-old’s biggest supporter in her sporting …