Seven Olympic disciplines– athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming and wrestling will be part of inaugural edition of Khelo India Tribal Games

Chhattisgarh will host the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) in an effort to tap talents from the tribal regions of the country. The Games will be held from March 25 to April 6.

Three cities – Raipur, Jagdalpur and Sarguja — will host the Games. Seven medal sports – athletics, football, hockey, weightlifting, archery, swimming and wrestling will be part of the Khelo India Tribal Games. Besides, mallakhamb and kabaddi will feature as demonstration sports.
“The Khelo India Tribal Games are part of our expanding footprint that offers an opportunity and scope to every young person wanting to play a sport. It is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2024 and sports has a massive role to play in that journey,” said Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday.  
“Tapping talents from tribal regions is key and continuously expanding our athlete-base is the requirement of the hour. We are ensuring that talented youngsters from tribal communities are identified early, supported systematically, and integrated into the national sports framework,” said Mandaviya.
The logo, theme song and mascot of the KITG were formally unveiled in Bilaspur on December 23. The launch ceremony was graced by Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Vishnu Deo Sai and Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao. The official mascot of the event is ‘Morveer’, derived from ‘Mor’, meaning mine or our own in Chhattisgarhi, and ‘Veer’, symbolising courage and valour.
EOM