Kumar Bahukhandi
In Short
- ‘Gangrel Boating Festival’ Gives Dhamtari a New Identity; 52 Teams Showcase Their Prowess
* Speed Surges Across the Waves of the Mahanadi; Gangrel Boat Championship Concludes Successfully
* A Confluence of Water, Sports, and Culture: Grand Boating Competition Held at Gangrel
Dhamtari: On Sunday March 22 , 2026 marked a historic day for the Dhamtari district, as the grand ‘Mahanadi River Boat Championship’—held under the aegis of the ‘Gangrel Boating Festival’—was successfully organised for the very first time upon the serene and captivating waters of the Gangrel Dam. Spanning a challenging distance of 1,000 meters—from the Machan Hat Point to the Gangrel Blue Adventure Sports Point—this thrilling competition saw participants demonstrate extraordinary speed, balance, and teamwork.
The venue witnessed a unique confluence of enthusiasm, excitement, and public participation.
A total of 52 teams—hailing from Dhamtari as well as the neighboring districts of Kanker and Balod—participated in this prestigious competition, thereby establishing the event as a major regional sports festival. The competition was flagged off by MLA Mr. Omkar Sahu, Mayor Mr. Ramu Rohra, and former MLA Mrs. Ranjana Sahu. Present on the occasion were Collector Mr. Avinash Mishra, District Panchayat CEO Mr. Gajendra Thakur, along with numerous public representatives and dignitaries.
Women’s Participation Adds to the Glory
The most noteworthy feature of this event was the active and enthusiastic participation of women from rural areas. Chayan Bai, Suman, and Dineshvari Nidhar—hailing from the village of Tirra—participated in the competition using traditional wooden boats; in doing so, they not only added excitement to the contest but also delivered an inspiring message of women’s empowerment. Despite having limited resources, their self-confidence and courage served as an exemplary model for everyone present. Competition Results
Delivering outstanding performances in the competition—
• First Place: Boat No. 04 (Romar Nishad Tiri & Jeetu Nishad)
• Second Place: Boat No. 1 (Satwant Mandavi & Mithlesh Mandavi, Koliyari)
• Third Place: Boat No. 10 (Komal Nishad & Maheshwar Kuretari, Tirra)
Additionally—
• Costume Award: Boat No. 06 (Pawanbai Nishad & Devanbati Nishad, Tirra)
• Decoration Award: Boat No. 08 (Ramnarayan Netam & Rishiram Nishad, Sati Yara)
Trophies and cash prizes were presented to the winners by the guests—
• First Prize: ₹1,00,000
• Second Prize: ₹50,000
• Third Prize: ₹25,000
Furthermore, special prizes of ₹11,000 each were awarded for boat decoration and costumes. To encourage female participants, the District Administration also announced consolation prizes of ₹15,000, ₹10,000, and ₹5,000.
MLA Omkar Sahu stated that this event would provide a new identity to the region’s rich cultural heritage and water tourism. Mayor Ramu Rohra described the initiative as a matter of pride for the district and a significant step toward providing a platform for local talent.
Collector Avinash Mishra remarked that such events would not only boost tourism but also foster an interest in sports and adventure activities among the youth.
Other Key Activities
The program commenced with the guests planting saplings, thereby conveying a message of environmental conservation.
The Fisheries Department distributed ice boxes to eight fishermen’s cooperatives, an initiative aimed at strengthening the local fishing industry. Additionally, with a focus on water safety, a water ambulance service was also launched.
A New Direction for Tourism and Development
The ‘Gangrel Boating Festival’ has emerged as a powerful example of the synergy between tourism, culture, and sports activities in the Dhamtari district.
This event will not only encourage local talent but also play a pivotal role in establishing the Gangrel region as a premier hub for tourism and adventure sports within the state.
