Tribal athletes ready to shine at inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games

RAIPUR : Even as Royal Challengers Bengaluru confirmed on Tuesday that they will play two of their Indian Premier League home matches in the city, the spotlight firmly remained on young tribal athletes from across the country who have assembled here for the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games, scheduled from March 25 to April 3.Around 2,300 athletes will compete across seven disciplines — archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting and wrestling — for a total of 106 gold medals. While Raipur will host hockey, weightlifting, football, archery and swimming, athletics will be held in Jagdalpur and wrestling competitions will take place at Gandhi Stadium in Ambikapur. In addition to the medal events, traditional sports such as mallakhamb and kabaddi will also be showcased during the 10-day competition.Former India hockey player Lazarus Barla, who is in Raipur as manager of the Odisha men’s hockey team, lauded the initiative. “The idea of making India fit is excellent, and including tribal games in it is even better. A large number of people from tribal regions play and follow these sports, so this (starting the Khelo India Tribal Games) is a commendable initiative,” said Barla, who belongs to the Oraon tribe.Odisha have fielded a strong contingent, including experienced players such as Abhishek Lakra, a member of the 2021 Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup squad, in the men’s team, and Ajmina Kujur, who featured in the 2022 Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup, in the women’s side.Barla, however, stressed that the tournament’s long-term success will depend on tangible incentives for athletes, including job opportunities, national team pathways and exposure trips abroad. For now, though, the focus remains on talent identification and development.“All our tribal players and children should showcase their talent through sports, represent the country and build their careers,” Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey said in a statement.Men’s 100m and 200m national record holder Animesh Kujur echoed the sentiment, highlighting the role such events can play in expanding the reach of sports.Though Kujur himself will not be competing, the hope is that the platform will inspire many more athletes like him.