Kumar Bahukhandi
Chhattisgarh Hockey League’s winning team poses with the championship trophy and ₹11 lakh prize cheque alongside Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu, Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal, Skill Development Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb and league ambassador Sardar Singh in Raipur on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/CMO
At the closing ceremony in Raipur, CM Sai says the league and Mukhyamantri Khel Utkarsh Mission will help players from villages and tribal areas pursue bigger opportunities
Key Highlights
- Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya praises the league as a model for developing players and strengthening hockey.
- Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai highlights opportunities for local players to learn alongside Olympians.
- Six regional teams bring together talent from Bastar, Surguja, Raigarh and Rajnandgaon.
- JioHotstar coverage and commentary in Hindi and Chhattisgarhi expand the competition’s reach.
- Sai says the Mukhyamantri Khel Utkarsh Mission will connect emerging talent with training opportunities.
Raipur: Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya described the Chhattisgarh Hockey League as a role model for the country, while Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the competition could help the state’s players earn recognition on national and international platforms.
The leaders attended the league’s closing and prize distribution ceremony at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium in Raipur on Sunday, November 1, 2026.
Congratulating the winning and runner-up teams and outstanding performers, Sai said the tournament had given emerging players opportunities to demonstrate their abilities and learn from experienced national and international players.
“The Chhattisgarh Hockey League is a role model for the entire country. Such successful events are possible when there is strong determination in government,” Mandaviya said.
‘Hockey Is a Source of National Pride’
Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya presents a ₹10,000 Player of the Match award to a player during Chhattisgarh Hockey League’s prize distribution ceremony in Raipur on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Raipur MP Brijmohan Agarwal (left), Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and league ambassador Sardar Singh are also seen. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/CMO
Mandaviya said well-organised competitions were important to the development of sport because they created opportunities to identify and nurture capable players.
He described hockey as an integral part of India’s sporting heritage and recalled Major Dhyan Chand’s contribution to establishing the country’s reputation through his exceptional skill.
“Hockey is a source of pride for our country. Major Dhyan Chand brought glory to India across the world through his extraordinary ability,” the Union Minister said.
His achievements, Mandaviya added, continued to inspire young players to strive for excellence.
The minister expressed confidence that the Chhattisgarh Hockey League would become broader and more competitive in the coming years, offering opportunities to players while strengthening the state’s position on India’s sporting map.
Khelo India and Fit India Encouraging Participation
Mandaviya said initiatives such as Khelo India and Fit India had helped create greater interest in sport and fitness among young people under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
Youngsters, he observed, were increasingly viewing sport as an opportunity to demonstrate talent and build a future, alongside its benefits for recreation and physical fitness.
He said sustained encouragement and competitive opportunities were essential to helping this interest develop into sporting achievement.
Talent Beyond Cities
Union Minister for Labour and Employment and Youth Affairs and Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya attends Chhattisgarh Hockey League’s closing ceremony as Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai addresses the gathering at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium in Raipur on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao (far left), Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal, Skill Development Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb and league ambassador Sardar Singh are also seen. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/CMO
Sai said Chhattisgarh’s villages, tribal communities and remote areas possessed considerable sporting talent. The challenge was to ensure that players received opportunities, modern training and suitable facilities.
“There is no shortage of sporting talent in Chhattisgarh. Our villages, tribal areas and remote regions have immense potential; what players need is the right opportunity, modern training and better facilities,” the Chief Minister said.
He reiterated the state government’s commitment to expanding sports infrastructure and supporting promising athletes.
The league, he said, had provided a platform where players from different backgrounds could compete, exchange experiences and improve their skills.
Six Teams Bring Regions Together
Sai highlighted the participation of six teams—Capital Royals, Nyaydhani Knights, Sanskardhani Strikers, Chakradhar Champions, Bailadila Bulls and Mainpat Titans—as a feature that made the competition a sporting celebration for the whole state.
Players representing regions from Bastar to Surguja and Raigarh to Rajnandgaon had an opportunity to compete with one another and build experience.
The Chief Minister said the competition had helped bring different parts of Chhattisgarh together through sport, strengthening a shared sense of participation.
Learning Alongside Olympians
According to Sai, the inclusion of an Olympic player in each team was among the league’s most valuable features.
Sharing the field with internationally experienced players allowed younger participants to observe the finer aspects of the game and gain confidence in competitive situations.
He said such exposure could help prepare emerging players for larger tournaments and encourage them to set higher goals.
“The Chhattisgarh Hockey League will become a powerful platform for giving our sporting talent a new identity at national and international levels,” Sai said.
He expressed hope that players emerging from the league would eventually wear India’s jersey and win medals in international competitions.
Chhattisgarhi Commentary Adds a Local Connection
The Chief Minister also welcomed the arrangements for broadcasting matches on JioHotstar, saying the coverage had helped bring local players before a wider audience.
Commentary in both Hindi and Chhattisgarhi, he said, had made the competition more accessible and connected it with the state’s cultural identity.
The league’s message, “Chalav Re Sangi, Hockey Khelbo”, had encouraged young people to engage with the game, he added.
The combination of regional participation, experienced players and wider coverage had given the competition a distinctive character.
Khel Utkarsh Mission to Support Emerging Players
Sai said the Mukhyamantri Khel Utkarsh Mission had been introduced to identify promising athletes, encourage their development and improve access to training.
The mission would seek to connect talent from villages and distant areas with training centres, helping players overcome barriers arising from limited resources.
“Our objective is to ensure that no talented player’s dream remains unfulfilled because of a lack of resources,” the Chief Minister said.
He congratulated the organisers, players from all six teams, coaches and others involved in conducting the competition.
Such events, he said, could strengthen a positive sporting culture and encourage healthy competition among young people.
Deputy Chief Ministers Arun Sao and Vijay Sharma, Skill Development Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal and Chhattisgarh Hockey League ambassador Sardar Singh also attended the closing ceremony.
