- The Chhattisgarh Hockey League will resonate across the state with the rallying cry, “Chalo Re Sangi, Hockey Khelbo” (Come along, friends, let’s play hockey!) – Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare, Shri Arun Sao
- The dawn of a new era for hockey in Chhattisgarh
- Grand inauguration of the country’s first-of-its-kind ‘Chhattisgarh Hockey League’—a unique blend of guidance from veterans and the zeal of youth
As part of a unique and visionary initiative by the state government, the ‘Chhattisgarh Hockey League’—the first of its kind in the country, designed to bring a new, professional dimension to the state’s sports culture—was launched with a grand and vibrant ceremony at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium in Raipur. Commencing with the spirited call, “Chalo Re Sangi, Hockey Khelbo,” the tournament features a remarkable convergence of national-level Olympians, legendary players, and emerging young talent from Chhattisgarh. This historic event marks the beginning of a new era of competition within the state’s sporting landscape, offering local talent a golden opportunity to shine on national and international stages.
The prestigious inaugural ceremony was presided over by the Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Raksha Nikhil Khadse. The event was graced by the Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Tokhan Sahu, and the Deputy Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh—who also serves as the Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare—Shri Arun Sao, as distinguished guests. Also in attendance were Rajya Sabha MP Smt. Lakshmi Verma; Chairman of the State Youth Commission, Shri Vishwa Vijay Singh Tomar; Chairman of the Seed Corporation, Shri Chandrahas Chandrakar; Secretary of the Sports Department, Shri Yashwant Kumar; Chhattisgarh Hockey League Brand Ambassador, Sardar Singh; and former international cricketer, Shri Rajesh Chauhan, alongside a large number of other prominent citizens and sports enthusiasts.
Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of State for Sports, Smt. Raksha Nikhil Khadse, shared her thoughts, noting that this was her second visit to Chhattisgarh—the first being during the ‘Khelo India Tribal Games’ held in Bastar. Highlighting the nation’s progress in sports, she remarked that India is consistently advancing in the sporting arena, and the government’s primary objective is to bring sports into every household across the country. In line with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, large-scale events are being organized nationwide to promote sports, supported by substantial budgetary allocations. Today, equal priority is being given not only to cricket but to all other sports as well. Private institutions are also stepping forward to encourage young athletes, as the energy and strength of the youth will fortify the nation’s future. She expressed confidence that the day is not far when Chhattisgarh will be recognized as a major ‘sports hub’ of the country.
The event’s chief guest, Deputy Chief Minister and Sports Minister Shri Arun Sao, delivered an inspiring address, stating that the spirit of this ‘Chhattisgarh Hockey League’—encapsulated by the call “Chalo Re Sangi, Hockey Khelbo” (Come, friends, let’s play hockey)—will resonate throughout the state, making this historic occasion truly memorable for everyone. He proudly recalled that exactly 25 years ago on this very day, the Indian Junior Hockey Team won the World Cup; notably, a distinguished member of that golden, victorious squad, Shri Devesh Chauhan, is serving as the head coach for the Chhattisgarh team in this tournament. Shri Sao remarked that this competition would prove to be a milestone in establishing hockey at an excellent, professional level within the state. He further highlighted that the soil of Chhattisgarh has gifted the nation with legendary hockey players such as Vincent Lakra, Mrinal Choubey, Renuka Yadav, and Saba Anjum. Echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popular message—”those who play, will flourish”—she remarked that a sports field does more than just produce an athlete; it cultivates self-confidence, discipline, and leadership qualities within an individual.
Rajya Sabha MP Smt. Lakshmi Verma stated that hockey is India’s national sport, and it is a great fortune for the talented players of Chhattisgarh to have access to such a high-level platform to showcase their skills. This league will serve as a major source of inspiration for the state’s young athletes, providing them with an excellent opportunity to refine their game. Meanwhile, Shri Yashwant Kumar, Secretary of the Sports Department, outlined the structure of the competition, noting that the league—running from October 22 to November 1—features six franchise teams, all fully prepared for the challenge. Each 22-member squad includes 18 local players from Chhattisgarh alongside four distinguished national and international (including Olympian) athletes. This arrangement ensures that the state’s youth have the chance to play alongside the country’s top-tier talent, learn their techniques, and experience a high-caliber sporting environment.
This exciting league has garnered active participation from the corporate sector and government undertakings, with six major franchise teams set to compete for the title. These include ‘Chakradhar Champions’ (owned by Jindal Steel Limited), ‘Nyaydhani Knights’ (South Eastern Coalfields Limited – SECL), ‘Rajdhani Royals’ (Shri Bajrang Power & Ispat Limited), ‘Mainpat Tigers’ (Chhattisgarh Tourism Board), ‘Sanskardhani Strikers’ (Sarda Energy & Minerals Limited), and ‘Bailadila Bulls’ (NMDC Limited). Through these teams, the corporate sector…A strong synergy is evident within the sports sector.
The excitement of the tournament will continue uninterrupted from October 22 to November 1. All matches are being held at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium in Raipur, with two thrilling encounters taking place each day—the first at 5:30 PM and the second at 7:30 PM. On the opening day of the league, a special exhibition match featuring female players was organized, injecting new energy and encouragement into women’s hockey in the state. The matches are being conducted in a formal and professional manner by authorized officials from Hockey India, providing players with practical experience of the rules and systems used in national-level competitions.
The state government has made special arrangements to connect the public with this event. Entry to the stadium is completely free for sports enthusiasts, students, and citizens, allowing as many people as possible to watch both the nation’s seasoned stars and the state’s young talent in action. Furthermore, those unable to visit the stadium can watch live broadcasts of all the matches from anywhere in the country via JioHotstar.
This historic Chhattisgarh Hockey League is not only serving as an excellent platform for local players to demonstrate their potential, but it also represents a revolutionary step toward establishing the state as a strong and emerging hub on the national and international sports map.