Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh : Arunachal Pradesh delivered a commendable performance at the inaugural Khelo India Tribal Games 2026, finishing among the top five states and union territories and marking a strong debut on the national stage. The state concluded its campaign with an impressive haul of six gold, one silver, and four bronze medals, reflecting both talent and determination across disciplines.
The highlight of the campaign came from athlete Nedi Ngi, who clinched a remarkable gold medal in the women’s 5000 metres race, an event where the state has traditionally struggled to secure podium finishes. Ngi clocked an impressive time of 18:24.66 seconds, showcasing exceptional endurance and tactical brilliance.
In a gripping race, she surged ahead in the final stretch, overtaking her competitors in the last 200 metres to seal victory. Aarti Dhar of Madhya Pradesh secured the second position, while Tsuchoi T from Nagaland finished third. Ngi’s triumph stands out as a defining moment for Arunachal’s athletics, signaling emerging strength in track events.
Speaking after her victory, Ngi expressed her determination and aspirations for the future. She shared that after focusing on academics for a period, she was thrilled to return and achieve success on such a prestigious platform. She has now set her sights on representing India at the national camp, reflecting the ambition and confidence of athletes from the region.
A significant portion of Arunachal’s success came from weightlifting, which contributed five of the six gold medals. This dominant performance underscores the state’s growing prowess in strength-based sports and its consistent ability to produce top-tier talent in this discipline.
The state had fielded a contingent of 77 athletes who competed across multiple disciplines, including football, weightlifting, wrestling, archery, and athletics. Their collective performance highlights the depth of sporting potential in Arunachal Pradesh and the effectiveness of grassroots development initiatives.
In the overall standings, Karnataka emerged as the top-performing state with a commanding tally of 23 gold medals. Odisha secured the second position, followed by Jharkhand in third place, while Maharashtra finished fourth. Arunachal Pradesh’s top-five finish among 25 participating states and union territories is a significant achievement, especially in the inaugural edition of the Games.
The event itself witnessed participation from around 3,800 athletes competing across nine disciplines, making it a major platform for showcasing indigenous sporting talent from across the country.
Despite some disruptions caused by unseasonal rain during the athletics events, the spirit of competition remained high, and athletes continued to deliver outstanding performances.
Arunachal Pradesh’s performance at the Khelo India Tribal Games reflects not just medal success, but a broader emergence of sporting excellence in the state. With a balanced display across disciplines and standout individual achievements, the campaign has laid a strong foundation for future participation.
As the state celebrates this milestone, the success serves as a powerful reminder of the untapped potential within its sporting community and the promise of even greater accomplishments in the years ahead.
