Bhubaneswar, 29 October (H.S.) : Bhubaneswar will host the All-India Sports Competition organised by Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram from December 31, 2026, to January 3, 2027, bringing together around 800 tribal boys and girls from 39 states and provincial units across India and Nepal. The four-day event will be held at Kalinga Stadium, with approximately 200 coaches and organisers expected to support the participants.

The competition aims to provide a national platform for tribal youth to showcase their sporting talent, compete in various disciplines and gain exposure to a wider sporting environment.

Announcing the event at a press conference at Terapanth Auditorium in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday, Sanjay Lath, Vice-President of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram and Chairman of the Swagat Samiti (Welcome Committee) for the competition, said the event would offer an important opportunity to identify and encourage sporting talent among tribal youth. He described Odisha’s hosting of the national competition for the first time as a matter of pride.

According to the organisers, the athletes will arrive in Bhubaneswar on December 29. Registration and procession practice are scheduled for December 30, while the opening ceremony and competitions will begin on December 31. The closing ceremony is scheduled for January 3, 2027.

President Droupadi Murmu is expected to attend either the opening or closing ceremony, the organisers said, although her participation has not yet been officially confirmed. Around 10,000 tribal people from different parts of Odisha are also expected to attend the event.

Archery, Marathon and Athletics to Feature

The competition will feature archery, marathon running and athletics across different age categories. Archery events will be held for sub-junior boys and girls.

The marathon programme will include 21-km and 42.195-km races for boys, while girls will compete in 7-km and 14-km events.

In sub-junior athletics, boys and girls will compete in the 100m, 400m and 800m races, 4×100m relay, long jump and shot put. The junior boys’ category will feature the 100m, 400m, 800m and 3,000m races, 4×400m relay, long jump and shot put. Junior girls will compete in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 1,500m races, 4×100m relay, long jump and shot put.

Selection Process from District to National Level

Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram’s All-India Organising Secretary, Atul Jog, said sports competitions were being conducted across the organisation’s 39 provincial units. The selection process begins at the district level, followed by state-level competitions, from which outstanding performers are selected for the national event.

The initiative seeks to identify sporting talent in tribal areas and provide young athletes with opportunities to develop their abilities through competition, training and wider exposure.

Lath said officials from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and other sports organisations might attend the event, providing an opportunity to observe promising athletes. With appropriate training and guidance, some of these young sportspersons could potentially progress to international competitions and win medals for the country, he said.

The organisers expect the participation of athletes from different regions of India and Nepal to promote sporting excellence, sportsmanship and interaction among tribal communities.

The press conference was attended by Atul Jog, All-India Organising Secretary of Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram; 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.

The competition is expected to provide tribal athletes with a wider platform to demonstrate their abilities while fostering unity, cooperation and a spirit of healthy competition among young participants.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda