Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya will inaugurate the first Khelo India Tribal Games at Science College Ground here on Wednesday. The inaugural ceremony is scheduled to begin at 6 pm. Talking to media persons at the venue, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said the games would be held across Chhattisgarh from March 25 to April 3. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and other dignitaries will attend the inaugural programme. The multi-city event will span Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Sarguja. Deputy Chief Minister Sao described it as a ‘landmark event’ in Indian sports history and a major boost to Chhattisgarh’s sports ecosystem. “This is undoubtedly a landmark and memorable event for Chhattisgarh. It will provide tremendous strength to our sporting talent and infrastructure, while offering first-hand knowledge of organising a national-level competition,” Sao said.

 

As many as 30 states and Union Territories will participate, featuring nine sports. Medals will be awarded in archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling. Mallakhamb and Kabaddi will be held as demonstration sports. Around 3,800 athletes will compete, with host Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Assam fielding the largest contingents of over 100 athletes each. The male-female participation ratio will be nearly 50:50, aligning with the Olympic charter’s emphasis on gender neutrality. “The experience of competing alongside and watching national- and international-level athletes will be immensely enriching for Chhattisgarh’s players. This event will undoubtedly strengthen our state’s sports ecosystem,” Sao added. A total of 106 gold medals are at stake, with athletics leading at 34 golds, followed by swimming (24), wrestling (18), weightlifting (16), and archery (10). Hockey and football, the team events, will be held in Raipur; athletics in Jagdalpur; and wrestling in Sarguja. The games will conclude on April 3.