The inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 concluded in Raipur with Karnataka emerging as the overall champions, capping off a dominant campaign that saw them lead the medals tally from start to finish.
In a landmark edition that brought together India’s tribal sporting talent on a national stage, Karnataka’s consistency across disciplines proved decisive as they finished on top with 23 gold medals.
Odisha and Jharkhand completed the podium, finishing second and third with 21 and 16 gold medals respectively, in what turned out to be a closely contested race among the leading states.
Karnataka’s dominance built on early momentum
Karnataka’s triumph was largely built on a commanding performance in swimming, where they secured an overwhelming 15 gold medals. That early surge created a cushion which they maintained through strong contributions in athletics (five gold) and wrestling (three gold).
Their dominance was not limited to medal count alone but extended to individual brilliance. Manikanta L emerged as the most successful athlete of the Games, finishing with an extraordinary haul of eight gold and one silver medal. His teammate Dhoneesh N added five gold and one silver, underlining Karnataka’s supremacy in the pool.
Among women athletes, Odisha’s Anjali Munda stood out with five gold medals, while Karnataka’s Meghanjali contributed four gold and two bronze, reinforcing the high standard of competition across disciplines.
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Odisha, the only contingent to win gold medals across all six competitive sports, mounted a strong challenge but ultimately fell just short. Their tally of 21 gold, 15 silver, and 21 bronze medals 57 in total was the highest overall, reflecting depth across events.
They excelled particularly in athletics, securing eight gold medals, and added seven in swimming. However, the inability to close the gap in the final stretch meant they had to settle for second place.
Jharkhand, meanwhile, showcased strength in athletics, wrestling, and archery. They finished third with 16 gold medals, including nine in athletics and four in wrestling, while also making a significant impact in archery on the final day. The concluding day featured key events in archery and football, though the race for the overall title had already tilted decisively in Karnataka’s favour.
In archery, Jharkhand’s Komalika Bari, a former world junior champion, added the women’s recurve individual gold to her earlier mixed team success. She defeated Gujarat’s Bhargavi Bhagora in the final, further cementing her reputation as one of India’s top archers from the tribal belt.
Odisha’s Arjun Khara claimed gold in the men’s recurve individual event, overcoming compatriot Somanath Hembram in the final. However, Odisha fell short in the men’s team event, losing 4-6 to Jharkhand, which effectively ended their hopes of catching Karnataka in the standings.
Nagaland also made a notable impact, winning the women’s recurve team gold and finishing 14th overall with two gold medals.
In football, West Bengal clinched the men’s gold medal with a narrow 1-0 victory over hosts Chhattisgarh in the final. The result handed Chhattisgarh a silver medal, adding to their tally in what was a commendable overall performance. Hosts Chhattisgarh finished ninth with three gold, ten silver, and six bronze medals. While outside the top tier, their performance reflected the depth of talent within the state’s tribal communities.
Their run to the men’s football final was a highlight, and the overall medal tally indicated a competitive presence across multiple sports.
Broad participation reflects grassroots strength
The inaugural edition of the Khelo India Tribal Games saw participation from 30 states and Union Territories, with nearly 3,800 athletes competing across nine disciplines. A total of 106 gold medals were awarded across seven competitive sports archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling alongside demonstration sports such as Mallakhamb and Kabaddi.
Notably, 25 states and Union Territories featured on the medals tally, with 20 of them winning at least one gold medal. This wide distribution highlights the depth of talent across India’s tribal regions and reinforces the objective of the Games as a platform for discovery and development.
Maharashtra finished fourth with six gold medals, while Arunachal Pradesh rounded off the top five with an identical gold tally but fewer overall medals.
Beyond the numbers, the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 represent a significant step in integrating grassroots talent into India’s broader sporting ecosystem. The initiative has provided a structured platform for athletes from tribal communities—many of whom come from regions with limited access to elite sporting infrastructure—to compete at a national level.
The success of the inaugural edition lies not just in the competition but in the pathways it creates. With talent identification systems in place and increased exposure for athletes, the Games have laid the foundation for long-term development.
As Karnataka celebrate their title and other states reflect on their performances, the larger takeaway is clear: India’s tribal regions continue to be a rich reservoir of sporting potential. The challenge now is to sustain this momentum and ensure that these athletes are integrated into national and international pathways.
The first edition has set a strong benchmark both in competition and in vision marking the beginning of what could become one of India’s most impactful grassroots sporting initiatives.
