Kumar Bahukhandi
In Short
*Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai formally inaugurates the divisional-level Bastar Olympics
*Players from all seven districts of Bastar division and Nuwabat presented an impressive march past, captivating the audience.
*Bastar is now moving towards peace, harmony, and prosperity – Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai
Raipur: Your Chief Minister is one of you, he is your brother… You move forward, the government stands with you every step of the way.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said these words on Thursday December 11, 2025 while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the divisional-level competition under the Bastar Olympics 2025. Chief Minister Sai formally inaugurated the divisional-level Bastar Olympics at the local Indira Priyadarshini Stadium in Jagdalpur today.
CM Sai encouraged the players from the entire Bastar division. During this time, players from all seven districts of the Bastar division presented an impressive march past, captivating the audience.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said that the government is making every possible effort to bring the stream of development to every village in Bastar, as a result of which Bastar is continuously moving towards peace, harmony, and prosperity and is making a significant contribution to the development of the state and the country.
Chief Minister Sai said that the youth of Bastar have made this grand event successful and historic by participating in large numbers. Most gratifying is the fact that participants from Nuwabat also enthusiastically participated in the Bastar Olympics, giving it a special dimension. The large participation of daughters and sisters proves that women’s empowerment is taking a new direction in Bastar.
Chief Minister Sai said that the government is committed to connecting the youth of Bastar with the mainstream of society and making them partners in development. This is why the youth of Bastar are coming forward with faith and confidence in democracy and are playing an active role in the journey of development. Chief Minister Sai said that the winners of the Bastar Olympic sports competition will become role models for players in the future. The government will provide better opportunities and training to the youth of Bastar, preparing them for international competitions. He announced that players who win gold, silver, and bronze medals in international Olympic events will be awarded honorariums of three crore, two crore, and one crore rupees respectively.
Addressing the program, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao said that the Bastar Olympics is not only an initiative to promote youth through sports but also a means to integrate them into the mainstream of development. He said that the sports infrastructure in Bastar will be further strengthened so that players can get a proper platform. He encouraged the players, saying that sports teach valuable lessons, and also inspire them to learn from defeat and move forward.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma also encouraged the players, saying that the Bastar Olympics is a positive effort to connect the youth with the mainstream of development. He said that the government is encouraging the youth from the interior areas of Bastar by providing them with more opportunities, and this initiative will continue in a more robust form in the future.
On this occasion, Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap and Padma Shri M.C. Mary Kom, a bronze medalist in the Olympics and a medal winner in other international competitions, were also present to encourage the players and extend their best wishes.
The Director of Sports and Youth Welfare, Tanuja Salam, informed in her welcome address that approximately 3,500 players from Bijapur, Dantewada, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, and Bastar districts, along with Nuwa Baat, are participating in the divisional-level competition of the Bastar Olympics.
She said that this is a moment of pride for Bastar, and this decision taken by the state government for the bright future of Bastar is highly commendable.
The Bastar Olympics is providing a platform for talent through three levels of competitions. He also informed that this year more than 3,92,000 participants have registered, compared to 1,65,000 participants last year, including over 2,27,000 female participants – a new wave of change in Bastar.
The program began with the lighting of the torch by the athletes and a fireworks display. This was followed by colorful cultural programs, including captivating performances by the students of Mata Rukmani Kanya Ashram and other schools. Present on the occasion were MLA Chitrakot Vinayak Goyal, MLA Dantewada Chaitram Atami, national players Kiran Pisda and Khushboo Nag, senior administrative officers, district nodal officers, sports officers, coaches, and a large number of sports enthusiasts and dignitaries.
Vijay Dodi and Saloni from Orchha became the torchbearers.
The divisional-level competition of the Bastar Olympics 2025 commenced today on Thursday December 11, 2025 in a very dignified and enthusiastic atmosphere. The program was formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, ministers, and boxer Padma Shri Mary Kom. In the presence of thousands of spectators, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai lit the Bastar Olympics torch.
The prestigious torch was then handed over to Vijay Dodi, a talented athlete from Purvarti, a remote area of Sukma district, and Saloni Kawachi, a resident of Orchha block in Narayanpur district. Kabaddi player Vijay Dodi and Kho-Kho player Saloni Kawachi, with immense enthusiasm, energy, and pride, carried the torch around the ground to the main lighting point. This moment was incredibly proud and emotional for Sukma and Narayanpur districts – as athletes from Maoist-affected and remote areas ran with confidence in front of thousands of spectators. The enthusiasm of the crowd also reached its peak during this time.
Thousands of athletes and spectators from across the division enthusiastically welcomed this historic moment. The grand opening of the Bastar Olympics once again proved that the soil of Bastar is giving birth to immense sporting talent, and that the state government and administration, through their joint efforts, are taking concrete steps to give these talents recognition at the national and international levels.
