Daijiworld Media Network - Raipur

Raipur, Apr 2: Odisha emerged triumphant at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Raipur, securing both the men’s and women’s hockey gold medals at the Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium.

• Men’s final: Odisha defeated Jharkhand 4-1.
• Women’s final: Odisha edged past Mizoram 1-0.
• Other medalists: Jharkhand men’s team won silver, Chhattisgarh men took bronze; Jharkhand women claimed bronze.

The victories reflect more than just sporting excellence—they highlight how hockey is transforming lives in tribal regions of Odisha, Jharkhand, and Chhattisgarh. Historically, children in these areas played hockey barefoot using sticks made from tree branches, but now structured programs and improved infrastructure are nurturing raw talent.

Former Olympian Ajit Lakhra, head coach at Bilaspur Centre of Excellence, observed that grassroots-to-senior-level development is strengthening the ecosystem, enabling tribal athletes to refine their natural talent. Former Olympian Manohar Topno noted that initiatives like the Khelo India Tribal Games and the ASMITA programme are integrating women and promoting inclusion in the sport.

Professional coaching, sports science, physiotherapy, and video analysis, once limited to elite teams, are now accessible to tribal players. This combination of instinctive play and structured training is boosting morale, raising performance levels, and creating pathways to national and international representation.

Odisha’s double gold at Raipur symbolizes a broader transformation: tribal villages are becoming hubs of hockey excellence, inspiring the next generation, and reinforcing how sport can catalyze social change.