**Executive Summary**
On April 1, 2026, Minister of State Raksha Khadse visited Raipur for the ongoing Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 to celebrate the region's transition from a history of Naxalism to a hub for sports. The event involves over 2,500 tribal athletes and highlights the success of the Asmita League in developing female talent for national and international competitions. A key future objective is to expand these sports initiatives further into grassroots village levels to continue increasing women's participation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 Overview**
* The event features more than 2,500 athletes representing all Indian states and Union Territories.
* The games are positioned as a platform to recognise and invest in the potential of tribal youth at the highest level.
* The initiative reflects a regional shift where sport has replaced conflict, following the eradication of Naxalism.
* The Minister expressed confidence that participants will eventually represent India at the Olympics, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games.
**Success of the Asmita League**
* Launched in 2021, the league aims to provide rural women with competitive sporting opportunities and a distinct identity.
* Approximately 60% to 70% of girls winning medals in hockey and football at KITG 2026 are Asmita League alumni.
* All five gold medals in the swimming category were won by athletes from the Asmita League.
* Specific standout athletes, such as Anjali Munda, were noted for their performance.
**Institutional Support and Future Expansion**
* The event is credited to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and supported by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
* The Central Government remains committed to using sports as a transformative tool for tribal communities.
* Efforts are ongoing to take the Asmita League down to the grassroots village level to ensure sustained growth in female sports participation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Tribal Athletes**
**Impact**
They are provided with a national platform to showcase their talent, moving away from a background of regional conflict toward professional athletic careers.
**Action Required**
Utilise the KITG platform to transition into higher-level training for international events like the Olympics and Asian Games.
**Rural Women and Asmita League Alumni**
**Impact**
They have gained access to competitive sports and are currently dominating medal tallies in disciplines like hockey, football, and swimming.
**Action Required**
Continue participation as the program expands to the grassroots level to maintain the pipeline of female talent.
**Sports Authority of India (SAI)**
**Impact**
Recognised for the successful organization of a landmark event and the administration of transformational sports leagues.
**Action Required**
Execute the continued expansion of the Asmita League into village-level grassroots to further increase participation.
Key Entities Referenced
Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026: A central initiative providing a platform for tribal youth from across Indian states and Union Territories to compete in competitive sports.
Asmita League: A sports program launched in 2021 aimed at bringing women from rural India into competitive sports and providing them with professional opportunities.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports: The primary government ministry responsible for overseeing the policy, funding, and implementation of the Khelo India Tribal Games.
Sports Authority of India (SAI): The national sports body responsible for the organization of the event and the execution of grassroots athletic development initiatives.
Chhattisgarh: The central host location for the games, specifically identified as a region transitioning from conflict (Naxalism) through sports-driven social development.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
"Where Naxalism Once Existed, Sports Now on
The Rise. Sport Brings New Hope to a Region
Once Defined by Conflict", MoS Raksha Khadse
at KITG 2026
Minister visits Jagdalpur, hails 2,500+ tribal athletes as future
Olympians; Asmita League alumni dominate hockey, football
and swimming medals at KITG 2026
Posted On: 01 APR 2026 6:47PM by PIB Delhi
Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse, today visited Raipur as part of
the ongoing Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026, describing the atmosphere as one of energy, hope,
and transformation. She commended the SAI team for their efforts in organising the event, and noted that
the response from athletes, the local community, and the people of the region had been overwhelmingly
positive.
With over 2,500 athletes from all states and Union Territories competing across disciplines, Smt. Khadse
said KITG 2026 reflects the Central Government’s commitment to giving tribal youth a platform to build
their futures. For the people of this region, she said, the Games represent a new hope a signal that their
potential is being recognised and invested in at the highest level.
“There was a time when Chhattisgarh was known for Naxalism, and its people were perceived as a
backward community. Today, I feel a new direction is opening up for this region. Naxalism has been
eliminated, and through sport, the youth of this land can now bring their energy and potential forward and
play for this nation.” Shared Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports
The Minister credited the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah who has
declared Naxalism eradicated from across the country Cabinet Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, and the
entire SAI team for making KITG 2026 a landmark initiative. She expressed full confidence that many of
the athletes competing at these Games will go on to represent India at the Olympics, Asian Games, and
Commonwealth Games.
Hon’ble Minister of State for Youth Affairs & Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse also spotlighted the
transformational impact of the Asmita League, launched in 2021 under Prime Minister Modi’s vision to
bring women from rural India into competitive sport and give them an identity and an opportunity.
“At KITG 2026, the results are emphatic: approximately 60 to 70% of the girls competing in hockey and
football are medal-winning Asmita League alumni, including standout athlete Anjali Munda. All five gold
medals won in swimming were also clinched by Asmita League athletes.” added Hon’ble Minister of State
for Youth Affairs & Sports, Smt. Raksha Khadse“Our endeavour continues to take the Asmita League further down to the grassroots village level so that
the participation of women in sport only keeps growing,” she said.
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Ayushman Kumar
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