Khelo India Tribal Games 2026: Karnataka Wins the Most Medals

Karnataka won the highest number of medals at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG 2026). On the final day, it led its rivals Odisha and Jharkhand by securing 23 gold, 8 silver, and 7 bronze medals.

Around 3,800 athletes from 30 states and union territories participated in this event. They competed in nine different sports, including archery, athletics, football, hockey, swimming, weightlifting, and wrestling. Mallakhamb and kabaddi were included as exhibition sports.

A total of 106 gold medals were contested, with 25 states/union territories winning medals and 20 states/union territories securing at least one gold medal, highlighting India’s vast tribal sporting talent.

Karnataka swimmer Manikant L emerged as the most successful athlete, winning eight gold and one silver medal. Odisha’s Anjali Munda won five gold medals in swimming.

Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 Medal Table:

Karnataka (1st place): 23 gold, 8 silver, 7 bronze. Swimmers Manikant L (8 gold, 1 silver) and Dhonish N (5 gold, 1 silver) led the team. They won 15 golds in swimming, 5 in athletics, and 3 in wrestling.

Odisha (2nd place): 21 gold, 15 silver, 21 bronze (total 57 medals; the only team with over 50 medals). Anjali Munda performed exceptionally by winning 5 golds in swimming.

Jharkhand (3rd place): 16 gold, 8 silver, 11 bronze. Excelled in athletics (9 gold), wrestling (4), and archery (3).

Hosts Chhattisgarh also performed well, winning 3 gold, 10 silver, and 6 bronze medals, finishing in 9th place.

Odisha was the only team to win at least one gold medal in all six sports disciplines, including 8 in athletics and 7 in swimming.

Khelo India Tribal Games 2026

India is hosting its first national multi-sport event for tribal athletes, the Khelo India Tribal Games, in Chhattisgarh (Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Surguja) from March 25 to April 3, 2026. The Games are jointly organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the National Sports Federations (NSF), and the Chhattisgarh government.

"Morveer" is the official mascot of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026. The name is rooted in local cultural ethos, with "mor" meaning "our own" and "veer" symbolizing courage and strength.