The logo, theme song and mascot of the first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) were formally unveiled on Tuesday at the Late B. R. Yadav Sports Stadium in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. The Games are scheduled to be held from February 14, 2026.
The launch ceremony was attended by Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao as chief guests, along with senior officials from the Union Sports Ministry, the state government and the Sports Authority of India.
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya underlined the importance of the Games in strengthening the talent base emerging from tribal regions.
“The Khelo India Tribal Games broaden the scope of opportunities for every athlete in the country. Tapping talent from tribal areas is crucial, and continuously expanding our athlete base is the need of the hour. We are ensuring that talented youngsters from tribal communities are identified early, supported systematically and integrated into the national sports framework,” the minister said.
The Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 will be jointly organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Sports Authority of India, the Indian Olympic Association, National Sports Federations and the Chhattisgarh state organising committee. The technical standards of the competition will be benchmarked against international norms.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the official mascot, ‘Morveer’, a name deeply rooted in Chhattisgarh’s cultural ethos. Derived from ‘Mor’, meaning “mine” or “our own” in Chhattisgarhi, and ‘Veer’, symbolising courage and valour, Morveer represents the spirit, pride and identity of India’s tribal communities.
The inaugural edition of the Games will feature seven competitive disciplines — archery, athletics, football, hockey, wrestling, swimming and weightlifting. Two demonstration sports will also be showcased, highlighting India’s indigenous sporting traditions.
One of the core objectives of the Khelo India Tribal Games is talent identification. Promising athletes spotted during the competition will be inducted as Khelo India Athletes, making them eligible for scholarships of ₹5 lakh per year for eight years. This includes financial assistance and comprehensive support aimed at long-term athlete development and integration into the mainstream sporting ecosystem.
Chhattisgarh will become the first state to host this landmark national event dedicated exclusively to tribal athletes, marking a significant milestone in India’s sporting journey focused on tribal empowerment and grassroots inclusion.
The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of the Khelo India Scheme, a flagship central sector programme of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports aimed at promoting mass participation and sporting excellence. The Khelo India Games were declared an “Event of National Importance” in 2020 under the Sports Broadcasting Signals Act, 2007.
So far, seven editions of the Khelo India Youth Games, five editions of the Khelo India University Games, six editions of the Khelo India Winter Games, two editions of the Khelo India Para Games, and the first editions of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival and Khelo India Beach Games have been successfully conducted with participation from all 36 states and Union Territories.
(IANS)
