- Union Minister of State Ms. Raksha Khadse calls on the Chief Minister, stresses on providing a national platform to sports talents
- Events like Bastar and Surguja Olympics and Bastar Pandum are receiving appreciation across the country.
Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Welfare, Ms. Defence Nikhil Khadse, paid a courtesy call on Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai at his residence office today. MLA Shri Purandar Mishra, Deputy Director General of the Sports Authority of India, Shri Mayank Srivastava, and Sports Department Secretary, Shri Yashwant Kumar were present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister extended a warm welcome and felicitation to Ms. Khadse by presenting her a shawl, an attractive replica of Bastar art, and a coffee table book on Bastar Dussehra.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Shri Sai stated that there is no dearth of talent in Chhattisgarh; the only need is to provide them with appropriate opportunities, resources, and a strong platform. The state government is continuously striving to nurture talent and elevate them to the national level through sports and cultural events. He stated that the recent Bastar and Surguja Olympics have given the state a new identity. These events have brought to light many hidden talents, boosting their confidence. The government is working to further hone their skills by providing them with better training and necessary facilities. Hosting the Khelo India Tribal Games is a matter of pride for the state and will infuse new energy into the youth of our tribal region. He said that as Bastar is integrating into the mainstream and peace has been established there, youth participation in sports will undoubtedly increase in the future.
Referring to the “Bastar Pandum,” the Chief Minister said that the participation of approximately 54,000 participants in 12 disciplines, including traditional games, singing, musical instruments, costumes, and cuisine, is a powerful example of the state’s rich cultural and sporting heritage. It
is noteworthy that Union Minister of State Ms. Khadse is in Chhattisgarh to participate in the “Khelo India Tribal Games 2026.” He described the event, held in Jagdalpur, as a historic initiative towards tribal empowerment, grassroots talent discovery, and nation-building through sports.