New Delhi, Jan 3 (NationPress) India's coastline is poised to become a dynamic national sports venue as the Khelo India Beach Games 2026 makes its return to Diu from January 5 to 10, featuring more than 1,300 athletes from various regions of the country. This event promises an exciting celebration of both beach and traditional sports.

The second edition of the Games will unite over 1,300 competitors representing 31 states and Union Territories, including 25 states and six UTs. This reflects the increasing appeal of beach sports within India's athletic landscape.

The Games will host competitions across six medal disciplines: Beach Soccer, Beach Volleyball, Beach Sepaktakraw, Beach Kabaddi, Beach Pencak Silat, and Open Water Swimming. A total of 786 athletes will compete, with 366 women and 420 men, emphasizing the Khelo India initiative's commitment to inclusive participation.

In detail, participation by discipline includes 263 athletes in Beach Sepaktakraw, 157 in Beach Pencak Silat, 156 in Beach Soccer, 96 in Beach Kabaddi, 64 in Beach Volleyball, and 50 in Open Water Swimming. This highlights the scale and variety of competition in beach and water sports, as reported by the Sports Authority of India (SAI).

Apart from competitive events, traditional Indian sports such as Mallakhamb and Tug of War will be showcased as non-competitive demonstrations, featuring 336 athletes. This reinforces the Games' commitment to preserving and promoting India's rich indigenous sporting heritage.

Athletes from both coastal and landlocked regions will come together on the sands of Diu, showcasing the event's truly pan-India character. There will be strong contingents from states like Maharashtra, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Manipur, as well as Union Territories like Chandigarh, Puducherry, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu.

Manipur enters the Games with renewed confidence after finishing as the top-performing state in the previous Khelo India cycle, securing 14 medals, including five golds. This sets the stage for fierce competition at this year’s Beach Games. Beyond medal counts, the Khelo India Beach Games 2026 aims to foster a broader sporting movement by expanding opportunities in emerging beach disciplines, encouraging youth involvement beyond traditional sports and regions, while promoting community pride, cultural identity, and sustainable sports development.

As India continues to diversify its sporting landscape, the Khelo India Beach Games 2026 promises to be a captivating blend of competition, culture, and coastline, turning Diu into a hub of athletic excellence and national celebration.