Raipur | April 2, 2026
Chhattisgarh delivered a stellar performance on Day 9 of the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, clinching the women’s football gold medal with a narrow 1-0 victory over Jharkhand.
The match-winning moment came in the 61st minute when captain Kiran Pisda capitalized on a defensive lapse to score the decisive goal, guiding the host team to a historic triumph.
Kiran Pisda Leads from the Front
Kiran Pisda, the only international player in the Chhattisgarh squad, played a crucial role throughout the tournament. Her leadership and composure under pressure proved vital in securing the title.
“It’s a special moment for us because so many fans came to support us, and we are happy to win gold in front of our home crowd,” Kiran said after the victory.
Chhattisgarh Adds More Medals
Apart from the football gold, Chhattisgarh also secured a silver medal in the men’s 4x400m relay and a bronze medal through Manish Kumar in the men’s 1500m event.
Athletics Stars Shine Bright
Jharkhand’s Shiv Kumar Soren completed a remarkable double, winning gold in both the 100m and 200m events.
Karnataka athletes also dominated the track events, with Reethushree and Nagini securing their second gold medals in the 200m and 1500m events respectively.
Medal Tally Update
Karnataka continues to lead the medal standings with 23 gold medals, followed by Odisha with 20 gold and Jharkhand in third place with 14 gold medals.
Chhattisgarh has climbed to ninth position with a total of 3 gold, 9 silver, and 6 bronze medals.
Archery Highlights
Jharkhand secured gold in the recurve mixed team event through Komalika Bari and Krishna Pingua, defeating Odisha in the final.
In compound archery, Maharashtra’s Harshwardhan Ingle claimed the individual gold and added another gold in the mixed team event.
About Khelo India Tribal Games
The Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) is a national initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing sporting talent from tribal communities across India.
The inaugural edition is being held in Chhattisgarh from March 25 to April 3, 2026, featuring around 3,800 athletes competing in 9 sports disciplines across Raipur, Jagdalpur, and Ambikapur.
Conclusion
With just one day remaining, the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 continues to showcase exceptional talent and competitive spirit, highlighting India’s rich tribal sporting heritage.