It was a day of celebration at the state capital as Chief Minister Pema Khandu officially flagged in and felicitated the Arunachal Pradesh sports contingent following their historic performance at the 1st Khelo India Tribal Games 2026. Held in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, the state’s athletes have returned with a haul of medals, cementing Arunachal’s position as a rising powerhouse in the Indian sporting landscape.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu expressed immense pride during the ceremony, congratulating the athletes, coaches, and officials for their stellar performance. Out of 30 participating states and union territories, Arunachal Pradesh secured an impressive 5th position overall. Notably, the state emerged as the best-performing state from the Northeast, clinching a total of 11 medals: six gold, one silver, and four bronze.
The chief minister highlighted the specific contributions of the various disciplines, noting that weightlifting was the primary driver of success, bringing home five gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. Athletics also saw glory with a gold medal in the 500-meter event, while both the men’s and women’s football teams fought hard to secure bronze medals.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Khandu credited this success to the unwavering discipline and hard work of the athletes. He remarked that since the launch of the Khelo India initiative by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017, the momentum of sports development in Arunachal has reached new heights. Over the last decade, significant investments in infrastructure have translated into tangible results at national-level competitions.
Looking toward the future, the chief minister outlined a strategic roadmap for the state’s athletes. He emphasized the “Mission Olympics 2028 and 2032” initiative, which focuses on identifying and nurturing talent at the grassroots level for global stages. He also mentioned that the state is gearing up for the 39th National Games in 2027, to be hosted in Meghalaya, where Arunachal will also host one of the sporting disciplines.
The chief minister concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing international-standard facilities and integrated sports complexes. He also touched upon the state’s geographical advantage for adventure sports, such as skiing, rafting, and kayaking, which the government intends to develop further.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Lok Sabha MP Tapir Gao and Sports Secretary Abu Tayeng, along with officials from the Arunachal Olympic Association.
With 11 medals in their pocket and a clear vision for the Olympics, the youth of Arunachal Pradesh have indeed proven that they are ready to compete with the best in the nation.
