Lohardaga buzzed with excitement as Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren declared the state’s unstoppable rise in sports during the closing ceremony of the Baldev Sahu Memorial T20 Cricket Tournament at BS College ground on Friday. Addressing a packed crowd, Soren praised the young athletes from Jharkhand who are putting the state on the global map with their stellar performances.
The CM pointed to cricket legend Mahendra Singh Dhoni as a shining example, whose international exploits have elevated Jharkhand’s profile in world cricket. He also celebrated the dominance of Jharkhand players in hockey, including the captain of the Indian women’s national team, underscoring the state’s multifaceted sporting talent.
Soren emphasized that the government’s robust sports policy extends beyond cricket and hockey to archery, football, lawn bowls, and more. ‘Jharkhand is on track to become the state of champions,’ he asserted, outlining plans to nurture talent at the grassroots level.
He commended the development of BS College ground, crediting state initiatives and former Rajya Sabha MP Dhiraj Prasad Sahu. This venue, he said, will soon emerge as a premier hub for athletes and fans alike.
The event drew special guests like former Indian cricketers Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh. Soren felicitated all participants and handed over the trophy to the winning team. Ministers Dr. Irfan Ansari, Deepika Pandey Singh, Shilpi Neha Tirkey, and several MLAs including Ramchandra Singh, Bhushan Bara, and Naman Viksal Kongadi were among the dignitaries present.
This tournament not only showcased local talent but also reinforced Jharkhand’s commitment to sports as a pathway to youth empowerment and national pride.