Kumar Bahukhandi
Raipur:In a moment that blended pride with celebration, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai met and felicitated the triumphant contingent of Chhattisgarh that secured the Overall Championship at the All India Forest Sports Meet for the 13th year in a row.
Interacting with the athletes at the Medical College campus in Raipur, Chief Minister Sai extended warm congratulations and heartfelt best wishes, praising their exceptional performance and unwavering discipline that has once again placed Chhattisgarh at the pinnacle of national sporting excellence.
Encouraging the players, Sai said that their commitment and outstanding achievements have elevated Chhattisgarh’s stature across the country, turning this victory into a moment of collective pride for the entire state.
It is worth mentioning that Chhattisgarh maintained its dominance at the 28th All India Forest Sports Meet, held in Dehradun from November 12 to 16, winning the Overall Championship trophy for the 13th consecutive year. This remarkable triumph symbolises the State Forest Department’s legacy of hard work, discipline, and team unity. At the grand closing ceremony, the trophy was jointly presented by Uttarakhand Governor Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Gurmit Singh and Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal. It was received on behalf of Chhattisgarh by IFS officer Shalini Raina and the team’s nodal officer, whose leadership played a pivotal role in this resounding success.
This year, Chhattisgarh’s formidable 253-member contingent delivered an unprecedented performance, securing a total of 150 medals and 578 points, marking a historic lead of 221 points over the first runner-up. The team’s tally included 74 gold, 34 silver and 42 bronze medals, firmly establishing its all-round supremacy. Several athletes brought individual glory to the state—Nikhil Zalko won five gold medals in swimming and was adjudged Best Male Athlete. Similarly, Sangeeta Rajagopalan emerged as the Best Female Athlete, winning four gold and one silver in badminton and tennis. In the women’s open category, Thota Sankeertana bagged five gold medals to secure the Best Athlete title. Veterans Sukhnandan Lal Dhruv and Charulata Gajpal also delivered outstanding performances, adding to the state’s medal haul.
This extraordinary achievement is the result of the visionary guidance of Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap and the inspiring leadership of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests V. Srinivas Rao. Their relentless support and motivation have consistently propelled the team to new heights. For the Chhattisgarh Forest Department, this victory is far more than a sporting milestone—it represents a golden chapter that has set new benchmarks of sportsmanship and excellence at the national level. The state has once again proven that its sporting legacy, hard work, and indomitable spirit are what keep it reigning as champions year after year.
The event was attended by Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, NAN Chairman Sanjay Shrivastava, Yoga Commission Chairman Roop Narayan Sinha, Tribal, Traditional Health Practices & Medicinal Plants Board Chairman Vikas Markam, Waqf Board Chairman Dr. Salim Raj, PCCF Shri V. Srinivas Rao, members of the Minor Forest Produce Federation, and a large number of victorious athletes.
