INDIA FIRST . JAGDALPUR . ANIL PUSADAKR
The grand finale of the first-ever “Khelo India Tribal Games 2026” was held on Thursday at the Dharampura Sports Complex in Jagdalpur, the district headquarters of Bastar. The four-day sports carnival, which began on March 30, provided a shared platform for tribal athletes from across India to showcase their exceptional talent, courage, and athletic prowess.
As the final rounds concluded, the medal tally emerged, highlighting the impressive performances of participating states. Odisha dominated the competition with a total of 8 gold, 7 silver, and 9 bronze medals, securing the top spot on the scoreboard. Jharkhand also clinched 8 gold medals but secured second place based on other medal calculations. Karnataka took third place with 5 gold medals, while Gujarat and Maharashtra finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
Host state Chhattisgarh made a mark on its home turf, winning 1 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze medal, earning appreciation from spectators for their skill and determination.
Cabinet Minister Kedar Kashyap expressed pride in Chhattisgarh hosting the first edition of the Tribal Games. He extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya for supporting the event. Minister Kashyap also highlighted the vision of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai, who has laid the framework for providing a platform to tribal talent.
He mentioned that athletes from 30 states across India participated in the event. While the games began in Raipur on March 25 and are scheduled to conclude on April 3, separate events are also being organized in Sarguja. The athletics events in Bastar were especially significant, as they provided an opportunity for tribal athletes to showcase their skills and gain recognition.
Minister Kashyap emphasized that the central government has effectively nurtured tribal sports talent, allowing them to excel on both national and international stages. He concluded that this event will empower tribal athletes to bring glory to their states and the nation in the future.
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