The government has taken many effective steps for the development of sports and players in the state of Chhattisgarh. Sports is not only being considered as a medium of entertainment, but it is also being encouraged as an important means for skill, discipline and career building of the youth. The importance of sports in life cannot be denied. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai has well understood the positive impact that sports spirit leaves on the human mind and he has made a great start in this direction.
Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai organized a unique event of Bastar Olympics with the aim of promoting the talented players and sports activities of Bastar. Bastar Olympics is not only trying to save the culture and traditions of Bastar region of Chhattisgarh state but also promoting community spirit in the tribal society through sports. Bastar Olympics remains a platform where local sports, customs and traditions are in harmony with modern sports events. Since the inception of Bastar Olympics, a vast sky has opened up for detailed discussion on its historical background, significance, diversity of sports, social and cultural impact and its future prospects. As soon as Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai took over the reins of Chhattisgarh Olympic Association, he has given great impetus to the efforts to promote sports and players in the state. Recently, a grand event of Bastar Olympics-2024 was organized to encourage and connect the people of Bastar with sports activities. This became a wonderful opportunity especially for the youth of Bastar, in which about one lakh 65 thousand players participated.
Through the organization of Bastar Olympics, the youth of the region got an opportunity to hone their talent in various sports. National Games will be organized in Chhattisgarh after two years. Along with this announcement, the Chief Minister also announced that the players of Chhattisgarh who won the gold medal in the Olympic Games will be given a prize money of Rs 3 crore, the players who won the silver medal will be given Rs 2 crore and the players who won the bronze medal will be given a prize money of Rs 1 crore. . In the Khel Alankaran Samman held last month, the state government honored 133 players with prize money of Rs 1 crore 41 lakh.
Recently, a five-day All India Forest Sports Competition was held in the capital Raipur, in which players from Chhattisgarh stood first by securing 97 gold. Remember, in the year 2023 also, All India Forest Sports Competition was organized in Haryana, in which more than 2900 players from across the country participated. Chhattisgarh had secured the first position in it. Many tribal communities reside in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, which have their own unique traditions and sports activities. In the tribal division Bastar, sports are not only played for entertainment but also reflect the struggle for life, endurance and social unity. Through Bastar Olympics, an effort has been made to preserve these traditional sports, which were on the verge of extinction in modern times. Apart from the traditional games of Gilli-Danda, Fugdi, Bhanwara, Pithul, Kabaddi and Kho-Kho, modern games like volleyball, football, running, and archery have also been included in this grand event so that the local youth are encouraged towards national and international sports. Can go.
Regarding Bastar Olympics, Chief Minister Sai had said, “A player never loses. Either he wins or he learns. There is no dearth of sports talent in the state. Along with the promotion of sports in the state, our government is continuously working for the development of infrastructure and in the interest of players and it is also true that there is no dearth of sports talent in the tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, like Jashpur of Chhattisgarh. Akanksha Rani, who comes from the backward tribe Korwa community, has made it to BCCI’s Under 19 T20. Along with this, he performed brilliantly in this trophy. Akanksha has already played BCCI Trophy in Under-15 for Chhattisgarh. Such players of the state just need a little encouragement and support which is being provided in the form of Bastar Olympics.
Player Jaisingh and his colleagues from Boravand village of Bastar told about the Bastar Olympics-2024 organized on the initiative of the Chief Minister, “This event is not only giving us an opportunity to showcase our traditional sports talent but is also providing us with all kinds of facilities for this. are being given. This program is a big effort to keep our culture and sports alive. Bastar Olympics is organized on a large scale. This event is organized in several phases at block, district and state level. As part of the selection process, various sports competitions are organized in each block. Local players participate in this and the winners get a chance to play at the district level. The competition at the district level is a little higher than before and the winners from here participate in the state level games. Bastar Olympics is the main event at the state level, in which thousands of players, spectators and officials participate. This event is celebrated as a big festival, which apart from sports, also includes cultural programs and traditional dances.
The popularity of traditional sports is decreasing due to the increasing accessibility of modern sports. Bastar Olympics is able to do the work of balancing this very well. This event has provided a platform for women to participate in sports. Women’s participation has increased in games like Fugdi, Kho-Kho and Kabaddi. This has increased his confidence. The government of Chhattisgarh, which nurtures the spirit of sports, is going to construct Khelo India Center in 31 districts at a cost of Rs 19 crore under Khelo India in the state. Khelo India Excellence Center is being built for hockey, athletics and archery. A multipurpose indoor stadium and a synthetic football field with running track will be built in Naya Raipur at a cost of Rs 62 crore. Integrated sports complex will be built in Kunkuri (Jashpur) and Raigarh for Rs 105 crore each. Football ground is to be constructed in Baloda Bazaar for Rs. 2.79 crores, swimming bridge is to be constructed in Mungeli for Rs. 6.49 crores, synthetic astroturf hockey ground will be constructed in Pandaripani Jagdalpur for Rs. 9.76 crores, synthetic football turf in Kasdol for Rs. 5.81 crores. Ground construction and multipurpose hall construction work is being done in Narayanpur for Rs 7.50 crore.
Apart from this, the following works are being done by the government of Vishnudev Sai for the development of sports…
development of sports infrastructure
The current government has worked extensively for the expansion of sports facilities. Sports complexes, stadiums and training centers are being constructed in rural and urban areas. To provide sports opportunities to small towns and villages, arrangements for grounds and sports equipment are being made at the local level.
Financial assistance and incentives to players
Financial assistance and awards are being provided to the emerging players in the state. Players who have performed excellently are being given priority in government jobs. Apart from this, special training and financial assistance is being provided to talented players to participate in national and international competitions.
Sports Education and Training
The current government has promoted sports education in schools and colleges. Players are being given professional training with the appointment of special coaches and establishment of modern training facilities. Sports academies have been established at the state level, where players are getting the opportunity to hone their skills.
Special focus on rural and women’s sports
The government has made special efforts to revive traditional sports in rural areas. Separate schemes have been made to encourage women to participate in sports, which include women’s sports competitions and training camps.
Promotion of events and competitions
Various sports competitions are being organized by the government, which provides a platform to the players to showcase their performance. National and international level competitions are being organized in the state, due to which Chhattisgarh is emerging on the sports map.
By giving priority to sports activities, the current government has not only inspired the players but has also contributed to the social and economic development of the state. This approach of the government is paving the way to take Chhattisgarh to a new height in the field of sports.