800 Tribal Athletes from 39 States and Nepal to Participate in National Sports Meet in Bhubaneswar
Four-day sporting event to be held at Kalinga Stadium from December 31, 2026, to January 3, 2027
BHUBANESWAR, October 28, 2026: Bhubaneswar is set to host a major sporting event celebrating tribal sporting talent, with around 800 tribal boys and girls from 39 states of India and Nepal expected to participate in the All-India Sports Competition from December 31, 2026, to January 3, 2027. The four-day event will be held at Kalinga Stadium, with around 200 coaches and organisers expected to support the participants. The event will bring together young tribal athletes from across India and Nepal, providing them with a national platform to showcase their sporting abilities and compete in various disciplines.
Announcing the event at a press conference at Terapanth Auditorium in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, Sri Sanjay Lat, Vice President of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram and Chairman of the All-India Sports Competition Swagat Samiti (Welcome Committee), said the competition would provide an important opportunity to encourage sporting talent among tribal youth. The participating athletes are scheduled to arrive in Bhubaneswar on December 29, followed by registration and procession practice on December 30. The opening ceremony and competitions will begin on December 31, while the closing ceremony is scheduled for January 3, 2027.
President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu is expected to attend either the opening or the closing ceremony, according to the organisers. Around 10,000 tribal brothers and sisters from Odisha are also expected to participate in the event.
The competition will feature archery, marathon running and athletics across different age categories. Archery competitions will be held for sub-junior boys and girls. Marathon events will include 21 km and 42.195 km races for boys, while girls will compete in 7 km and 14 km races.
The sub-junior athletics category will feature 100m, 400m and 800m races, 4×100m relay, long jump and shot put for boys and girls. Junior boys will compete in 100m, 400m, 800m and 3,000m races, 4×400m relay, long jump and shot put. The junior girls’ category will include 100m, 200m, 400m and 1,500m races, 4×100m relay, long jump and shot put.
The organisers expect the participation of athletes from across India and Nepal to make the event a significant platform for promoting sporting excellence, unity and cultural exchange among tribal communities. The press conference was attended by Sri Atul Jog, All India Organising Secretary of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram, Sri Vijay Kumar Ji, All India Joint Head of Administration, and office-bearers of Odisha Kalyan Ashram. Members of the Swagat Samiti formed for the event were also introduced during the meeting. The competition aims to encourage young tribal sportspersons, recognise their abilities and provide opportunities for them to develop their potential through participation in a national-level sporting event.
