India to Host Khelo India Northeast Games Annually: A Boost for Regional Sports

In a significant announcement for regional sports development, Union Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya declared that the Khelo India Northeast Games will be hosted annually, rotating among the eight northeastern states of India. The initiative aims to harness the region’s immense sporting talent and promote traditional games, further integrating the Northeast into the national sports landscape.

Why in News?

Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya made the announcement during the Rising Northeast Investors Summit 2025 in New Delhi. He emphasized the government’s commitment to transforming the region into a vibrant sports hub, aligning with national aspirations like hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2036 Summer Olympics.

Aim & Objectives

• To develop a strong sporting ecosystem in the Northeast.
• To identify and nurture grassroots sports talent.
• To promote traditional and indigenous games of the Northeast.
• To showcase regional capability in hosting large-scale sporting events.

Background & Key Developments

The Khelo India Northeast Games will be rotated annually among the states of,

1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Assam
3. Manipur
4. Meghalaya
5. Mizoram
6. Nagaland
7. Sikkim
8. Tripura

Recognizing the Northeast as a sports powerhouse, the minister highlighted the region’s contribution to India’s success in international competitions.

Existing Infrastructure & Investment

Under Khelo India, ₹439 crore sanctioned in 2021 for 64 projects,

• Synthetic turfs
• Multipurpose halls
• Swimming pools
• Hostels

Current infrastructure includes,

• 86 sports projects operational
• 250 Khelo India Centres (KICs) with 8,000+ athletes
• 8 Khelo India State Centres of Excellence (KISCEs)
• 3 National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) in Guwahati, Itanagar & Imphal

Technological Innovation for Talent Scouting

• Launch of National Sports Repository System (NSRS) portal
• Citizens can upload videos of promising athletes
• SAI scouts will verify and induct selected athletes

Women Empowerment in Sports

• Over 13,000 girls from the Northeast participated in the ASMITA League, a flagship initiative promoting women’s sports.

Previous Successes

• Khelo India Ashtalakshmi University Games 2023 was a major success.
• Hosted athletics, football, archery, and boxing.
• Showcased the Northeast’s ability to host national-scale events.