The country’s first Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG)-2026 concluded with a grand and colourful closing ceremony held at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in the capital city Raipur on Friday evening. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai attended the closing ceremony as the chief guest, marking the successful culmination of the inaugural edition of KITG-2026, which witnessed around 1,600 players competing across nine sporting disciplines. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao presided over the function. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Sai expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya for providing Chhattisgarh the opportunity to host the first edition of KITG-2026. He congratulated overall champions Karnataka, first runner-up Odisha and second runner-up Jharkhand for their impressive performances. The Chief Minister also congratulated the host state Chhattisgarh players for winning 19 medals, including 3 gold, 10 silver and six bronze medals. Praising the achievements of Chhattisgarh athletes, the Chief Minister announced cash rewards for all medalists and assured financial incentives for those qualifying for the Olympics in future. “The individual gold medalists of Chhattisgarh will receive a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh each, Rs 1.5 lakh for silver medalists and Rs 1 lakh for bronze medalists. Medalists in team championships will get Rs 1 lakh, Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 for gold, silver and bronze respectively,” he announced.

 

In his address, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao lauded the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the State Sports and Youth Welfare Department for the successful conduct of the Games. “This is the first time that Games of such stature were held in Chhattisgarh. I congratulate SAI, the Sports Department and everyone associated with organizing the event for their dedication and hard work in making the Games a grand success. I assure that the next edition will be organized on a much bigger scale and Chhattisgarh will set a benchmark for others to follow,” he added. The Deputy Chief Minister informed that Karnataka secured first position by winning 38 medals, including 23 gold, eight silver and seven bronze medals, while Odisha finished runner-up with 57 medals, including 21 gold, 15 silver and 21 bronze medals. Jharkhand secured third position with 35 medals, including 16 gold, eight silver and 11 bronze medals. In his welcome address, Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel said that the 10-day sporting extravaganza was organised across three cities - Raipur, Jagdalpur and Ambikapur. Thirty States and Union Territories participated in the inaugural edition of the Games, which witnessed nearly 3,800 participants competing in nine sporting disciplines. A total of 106 gold medals were at stake across archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting and wrestling, while traditional sports like mallakhamb and kabaddi were included as demonstration events.

 

The Chief Minister presented trophies to Karnataka, Odisha and Jharkhand during the closing ceremony. The dignitaries also released a commemorative picture postcard of the first KITG-2026 on the occasion. Chief Minister Sai formally declared the Games closed. Secretary, Sports and Youth Welfare Department, Yashwant Kumar proposed a vote of thanks. Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal, legendary former Indian footballer Bhaichung Bhutia, Olympic boxer Mary Kom, MLA Purandar Mishra, Director of Sports and Youth Welfare Department Tanuja Salam, public representatives, sports officials, coaches and players attended the closing ceremony in large numbers.