The second edition of the Khelo India Beach Games is set to take place in Diu from January 5 to 10, 2026, with more than 1,300 athletes from 31 States and Union Territories gearing up to compete. The event highlights the expanding popularity of beach and indigenous sports across the country and aims to further strengthen India’s growing coastal sports ecosystem.
Competitions will be held across six medal events — Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Beach Sepaktakraw, Beach Kabaddi, Beach Pencak Silat and Open Water Swimming. A total of 786 athletes, including 420 men and 366 women, will take part in these disciplines, underscoring the initiative’s emphasis on balanced and inclusive participation. Among the sports, Beach Sepaktakraw has the highest entry count with 263 athletes, followed by Pencak Silat with 157 participants, while Beach Soccer, Beach Kabaddi, Beach Volleyball and Open Water Swimming will also see strong representation.
Alongside competitive events, traditional sports such as Mallakhamb and Tug of War will be showcased as demonstration disciplines, featuring 336 athletes. These events align with the Khelo India vision of preserving and promoting indigenous sporting traditions while offering national-level exposure to grassroots talent.
Athletes from both coastal and inland regions — including Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Manipur — will participate, reflecting the pan-India character of the Games. Manipur arrives with high confidence after topping the medal tally in the previous Khelo India cycle.
Beyond competition, the Beach Games aim to inspire youth engagement in emerging sports, encourage community participation and contribute to sustainable sports development along India’s coastline.
