- Three-day district level competition begins at Gandhi Stadium
- 1800 players from seven development blocks will showcase their sports skills; for the first time, a football match will be held under floodlights.
The hidden sporting talents in the villages and cities of Chhattisgarh are now getting a bigger platform. With the aim of connecting sports with public participation and promoting local athletes in Surguja district, the district-level Surguja Olympics 2026-27 was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Gandhi Stadium in Ambikapur. In this three-day competition, approximately 1,800 players from seven development blocks of the district will showcase their athletic talent and prowess. Significantly, for the first time in Surguja’s sports history, a football match will be played under floodlights.
Lundra MLA Prabodh Minj kicked the football to open the competition. Encouraging the players, he emphasized that consistent practice, discipline, and hard work are essential for advancing in sports. Players should adhere to the spirit of sportsmanship and the rules while honing their talents. He expressed hope that Surguja players will bring glory to the district and state at the divisional, state, national, and international levels.
- More than 48,000 players are interested in athletics.
There has been tremendous enthusiasm in the district for the Surguja Olympics. A total of 88,509 athletes registered for the competition, held online and offline from August 1st to September 15th. These included 36,319 men and 52,190 women. Athletics accounted for the highest number of athletes, 48,626. This figure reflects the growing interest in sports in the district and the strong participation of rural talent.
On the first day of the competition, approximately 1,000 junior boys and girls are participating in various sports. Competitions will be held in 11 disciplines, including football, archery, athletics, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, karate, kabaddi, kho-kho, badminton, and women’s tug-of-war. The competition is being held from November 3 to 5. Its mascot is “Gajroo.”
- Players reached the district level after performing at the block level.
In the first phase of the Surguja Olympics, competitions were held in all seven development blocks of the district from October 1 to 10. Players from the rural and urban areas of Ambikapur, Udaipur, Batauli, Mainpat, Lakhanpur, Lundra, and Sitapur participated enthusiastically. Players who excelled at the development block level were honored with certificates, medals, and trophies. Transportation and food arrangements were also made for players coming from remote areas.
- 2,000 for individual sports, 4,000 rupees for team
Players who perform well in the district level competition will be awarded cash prizes, certificates and trophies. In individual games, first place will get Rs 2,000, second place Rs 1,500 and third place Rs 1,000. In team games, the first prize has been fixed at Rs 4,000, second place Rs 3,000 and third place Rs 2,000. Players securing first place at the district level will represent the district in the division level Surguja Olympics proposed to be held in Ambikapur from November 15 to 20.
The message of the competition was “Khele Bar Aaghu Abo, Surguja Ke Prana Badhabo.” Municipal Corporation Chairman Harminder Singh Tinni, State Youth Commission Chairman Vishwavijay Singh Tomar, Bharat Singh Sisodiya, District Panchayat CEO Roma Srivastava, Assistant Director of Sports Ramkumar Singh, along with public representatives, officials and a large number of sports lovers were present at the inauguration.