Kumar Bahukhandi
Deputy Chief Minister and Kawardha MLA Vijay Sharma felicitates Junior Women’s Asia Cup champion Geeta Yadav at his residence office in Kawardha on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Sharma congratulated the Kabirdham hockey player on representing title-winning India and wished her success in her future sporting career. Photo: channel24india.com via CG.DPR
Kabirdham hockey talent receives warm welcome after India’s Junior Women’s Asia Cup triumph; Sharma discusses her sporting journey, training and opportunities for young players in the region
Key Highlights
- Deputy Chief Minister and Kawardha MLA Vijay Sharma met hockey player Geeta Yadav at his Kawardha residence office.
- Geeta, a native of Bodla in Kabirdham district, was part of India’s title-winning team at the AHF Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2026.
- India defeated hosts China 1-0 in the final on September 13, completing a third consecutive Junior Asia Cup title and qualifying for the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup.
- Sharma congratulated Geeta and discussed her training, international experience and future ambitions.
- The Deputy CM described her journey from a farming family to international hockey as an example of hard work and discipline.
- The meeting also covered better training opportunities and sporting facilities for emerging players in the Kawardha region.
Raipur/Kawardha: Deputy Chief Minister and Kawardha MLA Vijay Sharma felicitated Indian junior women’s hockey player Geeta Yadav at his residence office in Kawardha, congratulating the Kabirdham athlete on being part of India’s title-winning campaign at the AHF Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2026.
Sharma welcomed Geeta with a bouquet and extended his wishes for her future sporting career. Members of her family and others were present during the interaction.
Geeta, who comes from Bodla in Kabirdham district, represented India as a midfielder in the continental tournament in China. Hockey India’s tournament squad confirms her selection among India’s midfielders.
India defeated hosts China 1-0 in the final on September 13, with Sanika Chandrakant Mane scoring the decisive goal in the 17th minute. The victory gave India its third consecutive Women’s Junior Asia Cup title and secured qualification for the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup.
‘Kawardha’s Daughter Has Made the Country and State Proud’
Congratulating Geeta, Sharma said:
“Kawardha’s daughter has brought pride to the country and Chhattisgarh at the international level.”
He wished her continued success and encouraged her to set new milestones in the years ahead.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma with hockey player Geeta Yadav, her family members and others during a felicitation at his Kawardha residence office on Saturday, October 3, 2026. The interaction also included a discussion on Geeta’s sporting journey and opportunities for developing young players in the region. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/DPR
During the meeting, Sharma spoke with Geeta about her journey in hockey, her experiences in international competitions, training and her ambitions for the future.
Referring to the circumstances from which she has risen to represent India, Sharma said:
“Coming from an ordinary farming family and going on to represent the country at the international level is the result of hard work, discipline and determination. Geeta has made not only Kawardha but the whole of Chhattisgarh proud through her talent.”
He added that her achievement could encourage young people across the region, particularly girls aspiring to build careers in competitive sport.
“Her success is an inspiration for the new generation of the region, especially daughters who dream of moving ahead in sports.”
From Bodla to the Indian Team
Geeta’s journey began in Bodla, where she received her early hockey training under coach Shiva Chauhan. Her progression subsequently took her to the Khelo India State Centre of Excellence in Bilaspur, where she developed her game through advanced training.
Her international exposure began before the Asia Cup campaign. She represented India during junior tours of the Netherlands and Belgium in 2024, followed by Argentina and later England and Scotland. Her participation in India’s 2026 UK exposure tour as a midfielder is also recorded by Hockey India and Akashvani News.
Her sustained performances ultimately earned her a place in India’s squad for the Junior Asia Cup.
Geeta also made her presence felt during the tournament. She was among India’s scorers in the emphatic quarter-final victory over Pakistan, finding the net in the 18th minute.
Discussion on Developing Sporting Talent in Kawardha
The meeting went beyond congratulating the young player. Sharma and Geeta also discussed the broader requirements of athletes in the region and ways of creating better opportunities for emerging sporting talent.
The interaction covered the availability of training, facilities for local players and the possibilities for strengthening the sporting environment in and around Kawardha.
Sharma sought Geeta’s views based on her own journey from local-level training to national and international competition, including the challenges and requirements encountered by aspiring players.
Her journey from Bodla to the Indian junior team illustrates the pathway that sustained training and competitive exposure can provide to talented athletes from smaller towns.
Concluding the interaction, Sharma wished Geeta continued progress and expressed the hope that she would maintain the same dedication while representing India and Chhattisgarh at higher levels of competition.
