Odisha’s Khelo India Tribal Games Success Highlights Push for Inclusive Sports Infrastructure

Laura Liswood once rightly said inclusion without equity is merely an illusion. Applying this to sports accessibility for our tribal communities, dedicated games and sports structure are needed to actualize the goal of their inclusion in mainstream sports.

Right after our honorable president, Shri Droupadi Murmu , wrote an aspiring article on the importance of tribal inclusion to the wave of sports development, for they shall be drivers of the movement across many categories, we get the news of Odisha having emerged victorious with the second position in the inaugural session of the Khelo India Tribal Games. The state has secured 57 medals, of which 21 were gold, 15 silver, and 21 bronze.

This win is representative of the state's priority to sports infrastructure. The Kalinga Institute sports hub took all by storm with its unique indoor beach court for the international volleyball competition. Apart from this, the Birsa Munda Stadium has been a heritage of the state with a stellar legacy. Winning the bid to host theWorld Athletics Meet was no luck but a sheer streak of continuous impetus to quality sports infrastructure.

The center's initiative to host the Khelo India Tribal Ganesh Singteg state of Chattisgarh was yet another strategic move. It provides the residents an alternative from the violent activities of Naxalism.to The event is being held along the capital cities Raipur, Sarguja, and Jagdalpur. “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 PM Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2024, and sports has a massive role to play in that journey,” said Dr. Mandaviya.