Raipur: Odisha concluded its impressive campaign by winning both the men’s and women’s hockey gold medals at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Raipur, held at the Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium. The men’s final saw Odisha beat Jharkhand 4-1, while the women’s final was a tight contest, with Odisha narrowly defeating Mizoram 1-0. Jharkhand’s men’s team earned silver; Chhattisgarh took bronze; and, in the women’s category, Jharkhand also claimed a well-deserved bronze to round out the podium.
At the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Raipur, Odisha’s double gold in men’s and women’s hockey was more than just a sporting victory; it showcased how the game is transforming lives across the tribal regions of Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. The northeastern states, renowned for their sporting talent, also shone, with Mizoram progressing to the knockout rounds at KITG 2026. Odisha’s men’s team secured a decisive 4-1 victory over Jharkhand in the final, while the women’s team narrowly defeated Mizoram 1-0 in a tense championship match. Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh also earned spots on the podium, highlighting the growing talent from these areas.
However, the true story extends beyond medals, reaching into villages, forests, and communities where hockey has become a symbol of identity and a source of opportunity. Hockey has been a part of tribal culture for decades, with children making sticks from tree branches and playing barefoot on rough ground. While the talent was always present, the path to success was unclear. That is now beginning to change.
With Centres of Excellence managed by the Union sports ministry and states, along with enhanced infrastructure and organised grassroots programmes, a strong ecosystem is gradually forming. Former Olympian Ajit Lakra, a member of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics Indian hockey team and now head coach at the Bilaspur Centre of Excellence, observes this transition firsthand and said, “The entire system, right from grassroots to junior and then senior levels, is gradually becoming stronger. Athletes from tribal regions, in particular, are benefiting greatly. Their natural talent is now being refined with proper guidance and training.” Lakra believes this structured support is creating a ripple effect. “When children come here, learn and perform well, they inspire others. This is creating a chain, with new players continuously emerging,” he said.
Regions previously impacted by socio-economic issues and Naxalism are now experiencing a subtle change through sports. Hockey is becoming a unifying force, integrating communities into the national fabric. The sports ministry’s ASMITA programme is increasingly involving women players and helping them become part of the mainstream.
Odisha’s double victory at Raipur symbolises a broader movement where villages are emerging as hubs of excellence, and hockey is inspiring a new generation’s dreams. From dusty Bastar fields to bustling Raipur stadiums, these athletes’ journey is transforming Indian hockey and impacting the social fabric of tribal India.
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