Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 Announces Grand Start in Jagdalpur

Maharashtra and Arunachal Runners Spread Golden Shine

Raipur, March 2026 : Under the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, in athletics competitions, especially the 5000-meter race was the center of attraction, where competition among the runners was seen down to hundredths of a second. During this, the first round of the 110-meter hurdles for men and women and the 400-meter race for women and men were conducted. The grand inauguration of the four-day Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 was held on Monday at the Dharampura Sports Complex in Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Bastar Division. On the very first day of the event, tribal athletes from different states of the country displayed their sporting skills.

In the men’s category, in the 5000-meter race, runners from Maharashtra maintained one-sided dominance on the track. Govind Prakash Padekar of Maharashtra completed with a brilliant time of 15:11.35, winning the gold medal. Right behind him, running like a shadow, his state’s Suraj Jayaram Mashi finished with a time of 15:11.64, earning the silver medal, giving Maharashtra a double success. In the same event, Rangalal Dodiya of Madhya Pradesh finished third with a time of 15:22.48, securing the bronze medal.

Meanwhile, in the women’s category, the 5000-meter race showed the talent of northeastern India. Nedi Nagi of Arunachal Pradesh completed the race in 18:24.66, winning the gold medal and bringing honor to her state. In this contest, Aarti Dawar of Madhya Pradesh fought hard and finished in 18:19.28, claiming the silver medal, while T. Suchoi T. of Nagaland won the bronze medal with 18:35.68.

After the end of the first day of competitions, in the medal table, Maharashtra is at the top with one gold and one silver, while Arunachal Pradesh is in second place with one gold medal. Madhya Pradesh strengthened its position with one silver and one bronze, while Nagaland is in fourth place with one bronze medal. This sporting Mahakumbh, which began on the soil of Bastar, will witness even more exciting contests in the next three days, where tribal youth will write a new chapter on the national stage with their sporting talent.