Chief Minister attends Chhattisgarh Olympic Association meeting, calls for stronger support to sporting talent
State expanding sports infrastructure, with archery academies coming up in Raipur and Jashpur
Raipur (thestates.news) | Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday said the state government would ensure that talented sportspersons, including those from villages, forested regions and remote areas, have access to training, modern facilities and opportunities to compete at national and international levels.
Addressing the executive body and general council meetings of the Chhattisgarh Olympic Association at New Circuit House in Civil Lines, Raipur, the Chief Minister said the government is working to expand sports infrastructure and strengthen systems for identifying and nurturing talent.
“Sports go beyond competitions and medals, playing an important role in developing discipline, confidence, team spirit and positive energy among young people,” Shri Sai said.
He called for greater participation from industrial groups in the development of sports in the state. Chhattisgarh is home to several major industrial groups, whose support could help sports associations and athletes with training, modern equipment, competitions and infrastructure, he said.
Referring to his tenure as Union Minister of State, Shri Sai said he had seen the positive results of closer coordination between industry and sporting activities. He called for a planned initiative to connect different industrial groups with sports associations and disciplines.
The Chief Minister also announced that a senior officer from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat would be given special responsibility for coordinating with the Chhattisgarh Olympic Association. The move is aimed at improving coordination between the government and sports associations, addressing their requirements and streamlining official processes.
Archery academies planned in Raipur and Jashpur
The Chief Minister said sports infrastructure is being expanded across the state, with sports complexes under construction in Raipur, Raigarh and Kunkuri.
An advanced archery academy is also being built in Raipur at an estimated cost of Rs 60 crore. Another archery academy is being established at Pandrapath in Jashpur at a cost of around Rs 20-25 crore.
The Jashpur academy is expected to provide modern training facilities to talented sportspersons from the region and surrounding forested areas. The Chief Minister highlighted the region’s strong archery tradition, particularly among the Pahadi Korwa community, where the sport is closely linked to local life and tradition.
He said access to expert guidance, modern training and the necessary facilities could help bring the region’s talent to national and international sporting platforms.
Bastar, Surguja Olympics to provide a platform for emerging talent
The Chief Minister said Bastar and Surguja have considerable sporting potential. The Bastar Olympics has provided thousands of young people from remote areas with an opportunity to showcase their abilities, he said, adding that the state government will organise the event every year. The Surguja Olympics has also created opportunities for local talent to come forward.
He stressed the need to use sport to provide young people in Bastar with positive opportunities amid the region’s changing environment of peace and development. Through the Khel Utkarsh Mission, the government is working to identify talent and provide better training and facilities, he added.
“Whether a talented sportsperson comes from a major city, a remote village or a forested area, our effort is to ensure equal opportunities for everyone to progress,” he said.
Rajya Khel Alankaran revived, efforts planned to host 40th National Games
The Chief Minister said the government of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given unprecedented encouragement to sports and sportspersons. He noted that the Prime Minister regularly interacts with athletes and encourages their performances in international competitions.
The Chief Minister said the Chhattisgarh government has also revived the ‘Rajya Khel Alankaran Samaroh’. Outstanding sportspersons are honoured and provided financial assistance, while efforts are also under way to create opportunities for sporting talent in government service.
The meeting also discussed the possibility of hosting the 40th National Games in Chhattisgarh. Shri Sai said the state would make efforts at the government level to secure the hosting rights.
He added that if Chhattisgarh is selected to host the National Games, the government can explore the possibility of holding events in Bastar as well. Such an event can inspire local youth, showcase the region’s changing circumstances and give a further boost to sports infrastructure and sporting activities across the state, he said.
Forest Minister highlights archery, mallakhamb potential
Forest Minister Shri Kedar Kashyap said the state government is working under the leadership of Shri Vishnu Deo Sai to promote sporting talent and improve facilities for athletes. He said budgetary provisions are being made for sports infrastructure and that the revival of the Rajya Khel Alankaran Samaroh has raised the morale of sportspersons.
Archery is an integral part of life and culture in Chhattisgarh’s forested regions, Shri Kashyap said. He stressed the need for technical training and proper guidance to help local talent progress.
He also noted that tribal youth in Bastar are performing well in mallakhamb. He called for identifying promising athletes in individual as well as team sports and providing them with specialised training.
MP Shri Vijay Baghel welcomed the government’s efforts to promote sports infrastructure and athletes in the state. He said the revival of state sports awards and opportunities for outstanding sportspersons in government service had boosted their morale. He also welcomed the proposal to assign a senior officer from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat to coordinate with the Olympic Association.
*District Olympic associations to be formed in more districts*
Chhattisgarh Olympic Association general secretary Dr Vikram Sisodiya presented the report of the previous executive body meeting and outlined the association’s activities, achievements and upcoming programmes.
The meeting reviewed preparations for Olympic Day on June 23, various sporting activities, the National Games, the requirements of sports associations and budgetary provisions for upcoming programmes. The association’s income and expenditure details were also presented.
Members agreed to constitute a committee to facilitate the formation of district Olympic associations in districts that do not currently have one. Matters concerning various sports associations, including the Handball Association, and the expansion of sporting activities in the state were also discussed.
Association vice-president Shri Vijay Baghel, Dr Himanshu Dwivedi, Shri Sharad Shukla, Shri Ramesh Kumar Srivastava and Shri Sunil Kumar Agrawal, along with office-bearers, representatives of various sports associations and other members attended the meeting.
