- Deputy Chief Minister Interacts with Athletes and Youth
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, Shri Arun Sao, interacted with athletes and youth today at the Padma Shri Govindram Nirmalkar Auditorium in Rajnandgaon. He also attended the felicitation and welcome ceremony of the ‘Jal, Jan evam Seva Sankalp Yatra’ (Water, People, and Service Pledge Journey).
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sao inspired the athletes to move forward with persistent hard work, discipline, focus, and dedication. He remarked that Rajnandgaon is known as a ‘Sports City,’ and the sporting talent from this region has brought glory to both the state and the country. He emphasized that concentration is an athlete’s greatest attribute, noting that an athlete must remain fully focused and disciplined regarding their goal.
He urged the athletes to hone their talents with true sportsmanship and bring laurels to Chhattisgarh at national and international levels in the future. Highlighting the achievements of Chhattisgarh’s sporting talent, he noted that the state’s daughters are performing exceptionally well across various sports. Sanju Devi won a gold medal in Kabaddi at the 2026 Asian Games; she is currently training at the Bahatarai Kabaddi Academy in Bilaspur. He also acknowledged the achievements of Geeta Yadav and Madhu Sidar—daughters of Chhattisgarh and members of the Junior Women’s Hockey Asia Cup-winning team—as well as Gyaneshwari Yadav, who won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games.
- Government-Sponsored Hockey League to be Held for the First Time in Chhattisgarh
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Sao stated that the Chhattisgarh government is working systematically for the progress and betterment of sports and athletes. He announced that a state government-sponsored hockey league is being organized in Chhattisgarh for the first time. This league will take place from October 21 to November 1. Approximately 400 players have registered for the league, with 223 participating in the first day’s trials. Six teams will be formed following the selection process. It was noted that the Rajnandgaon team has been named ‘Sanskardhani’—reflecting the city’s identity—and similarly, the names of other teams incorporate the cultural and local identities of their respective regions. Special emphasis has been placed on showcasing Chhattisgarh’s local culture and identity within the hockey league.
- Systematic Efforts to Nurture Sporting Talent
Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sao stated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, initiatives such as ‘Khelo India’ are actively promoting sports and athletes across the country. Progress in every sector, including sports, is crucial alongside economic growth in achieving the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). He added that both the central and state governments are making continuous efforts to position India among the world’s leading nations in the realm of sports.
At the event, a grand welcome was accorded to the bikers who arrived in Rajnandgaon as part of the ‘Vadnagar-Varanasi Seva Sankalp Abhiyan Yatra’ (Service Pledge Campaign Journey). Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sao noted that this service journey, which originated in Vadnagar, Gujarat, is linked to the birthplace of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi. Welcoming the participating youth, he urged them to move forward with a spirit of service, dedication, and nation-building.
Speaking at the event, MP Mr. Santosh Pandey remarked that the journey from Vadnagar to Varanasi is rooted in service, faith, and social commitment. While felicitating the participants, he highlighted the special significance of journeys and pilgrimages in Indian tradition, noting that a journey undertaken with the aim of service and goodwill conveys a positive message to society.
He introduced the travelers to Chhattisgarh’s religious and cultural heritage—including the revered Maa Bamleshwari—and wished them success in their journey. Interacting with the youth and athletes, he encouraged them to share their experiences and actively participate in endeavors related to service and nation-building. Mayor Shri Madhusudan Yadav also addressed the youth and sportspersons.
A large number of public representatives, sportspersons, and youth participated in the event, including Rajya Sabha MP and ‘Seva Sankalp Yatra’ in-charge Shri Rajesh Shukla, Chhattisgarh Tourism Board Chairman Shri Nilu Sharma, District Cooperative Central Bank Chairman Shri Sachin Baghel, Rajgami Sampada Nyas Chairperson Smt. Purnima Sahu, Shri Komal Singh Rajput, Shri Saurabh Kothari, and Smt. Geeta Sahu.