Chhattisgarh government

The Khelo India Tribal Games: Six-time World Championship medallist Mary Kom and former India football captain Bhaichung Bhutia underlined the importance of grassroots investment and structured development pathways while addressing reporters at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Raipur on Friday.

For creating future champions, both the legendary sportspersons maintained that Indian families need to discourage children from indulging in more screen time and rather send them to playgrounds to experience various sports.

Bhutia, one of Indian football’s most iconic figures, stressed that while initiatives like Khelo India Tribal Games (KIBG) are a strong starting point, long-term success hinges on strengthening the foundation of sport in the country. Reflecting on his own journey, he pointed to the role played by the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in nurturing young athletes at a time when sporting infrastructure was still evolving.