A significant development has emerged affecting CBSE school students, particularly athletes, across the country. The School Games Federation of India (SGFI) has granted independent status to the CBSE, leading to a change in how CBSE students will participate in sports competitions. Specifically, they will no longer be eligible to compete in state-level school games organized by respective state governments, including those in Chhattisgarh.
The new directive, set to be implemented from the 2025-26 academic year, mandates that CBSE-affiliated students will directly participate in national competitions managed by the SGFI. This effectively sidelines them from state-level platforms.
This shift comes with potential implications, as the opportunities for performance and development could be constrained due to the limited number of national platforms available through SGFI. Many talented students, including those who have excelled at district and divisional levels, will now experience these effects.
The SGFI initially recognized CBSE as an independent unit during the 68th National Competition in the 2024-25 session. However, since CBSE had not yet fully established its independent sports framework, the state government allowed CBSE students to participate in state-level games as a temporary measure.
With CBSE’s independent framework now established, the Chhattisgarh School Education Department, acting on SGFI’s guidance, has removed CBSE students from state-level competitions.
The SGFI’s official website further clarifies that CBSE students have been participating in national competitions independently, achieving medals. Hence, they are not eligible for state-level competitions.
This alteration effectively curtails a crucial path for students to advance to the state level. It also poses potential challenges to their sports careers and their ability to exhibit their talents at the national level. Coaches and parents have expressed that the decision could hinder the progress of many gifted athletes.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions in the Chhattisgarh sports community, and the focus is on CBSE’s initiative to strengthen its independent sports framework to ensure students can compete effectively at the national level.