National Tribal Games: Hockey, Football, Swimming, Archery and Weightlifting Events to be Held in Raipur
Athletics in Jagdalpur and Wrestling Competitions in Ambikapur
3,000 Tribal Athletes from combined 32 States and Union Territories to Participate
Traditional Games Kabaddi and Mallakhamb Included as Demo Events
Raipur, March 19, 2026//
Under the Khelo India National Tribal Games being held in Chhattisgarh, tribal athletes from across the country will showcase their talent in seven sports disciplines. Around 3,000 participants from combined 32 states and Union Territories will participate. During the event, competitions for both men and women will be held in five sports in the capital Raipur, while one sport each will be organized in Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Bastar division, and Ambikapur, the headquarters of Surguja division. A total of 164 players from Chhattisgarh will participate, including 86 men and 78 women.
Preparations are in full swing to upgrade identified sports venues and grounds in all three cities as per international standards. In Raipur, football matches will be held at Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla University Football Ground and Swami Vivekananda Athletics Stadium, Kota. Hockey competitions will take place at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium. Swimming events will be conducted at the International Swimming Pool in Raipur, archery at the open ground of the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare, and weightlifting at the open ground of Pandit Ravi Shankar Shukla University.
Athletics competitions will be held at Dharampura Sports Complex in Jagdalpur, while wrestling events will take place at Gandhi Stadium in Ambikapur. Traditional Indian sports Kabaddi and Mallakhamb have also been included as demo events in the Khelo India National Tribal Games. Kabaddi competitions will be held at Sardar Balbir Singh Indoor Stadium in Raipur, while Mallakhamb demonstrations will be organised at Gandhi Stadium in Ambikapur.
