Kumar Bahukhandi
Members of the victorious girls’ cricket team receive a trophy during a felicitation ceremony following their success at the state-level school cricket competition. Players from Ichkela Girls’ Hostel contributed to Surguja Zone’s double-gold achievement in the Under-17 and Under-19 categories. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/DPR.
Twenty young cricketers from Ichkela Girls’ Hostel contribute to Under-17 and Under-19 state championship victories; Under-17 team retains its title for the second consecutive year.
Key Highlights
- Girls from Jashpur district help Surguja Zone secure gold medals in both Under-17 and Under-19 cricket at the Chhattisgarh State School Games.
- Twenty players from the Government Pre-Matric Girls’ Hostel, Ichkela, represent the two winning teams.
- Under-17 team defeats Bilaspur Zone in the final at Sarangarh, retaining the state title for the second successive year.
- Under-19 team overcomes Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur and Bastar zones to emerge champions at Rajnandgaon.
- Years of dedicated training, disciplined practice and guidance from coaches contribute to the achievements.
- Jashpur Collector Rohit Vyas congratulates the players and encourages them to aim for national-level success.
Jashpur’s Daughters Bring Double Glory to Chhattisgarh School Cricket
Young girls from Jashpur district have delivered an outstanding performance in school cricket, helping Surguja Zone capture gold medals in both the Under-17 and Under-19 categories of the Chhattisgarh State School Games.
The achievements have brought recognition to the Government Pre-Matric Girls’ Hostel at Ichkela, where 20 players belonging to the two championship-winning teams have been pursuing their education while undergoing regular cricket training.
Young cricket players from Ichkela Girls’ Hostel meet district officials following their gold-medal victories at the Chhattisgarh State School Games. Their achievements have brought recognition to Jashpur district and highlighted the growing sporting potential of girls from rural communities. Photo: channel24india.com via CG/DPR.
The double victory is particularly significant for Jashpur, a district known for its rural and tribal communities, where access to organised sporting opportunities can be challenging for aspiring athletes.
Through years of sustained practice, discipline and determination, these young cricketers have demonstrated that sporting excellence is not confined to major cities or institutions with extensive facilities.
Their success has generated enthusiasm among teachers, coaches, hostel authorities and sports enthusiasts across the district.
Under-17 Girls Retain State Championship for Second Consecutive Year
The Under-17 girls’ cricket team delivered a commanding performance during the 26th State-Level School Sports Competition, held in Sarangarh from October 4 to 7, 2026.
Representing Surguja Zone, the team defeated Raipur, Durg and Bastar zones to secure a place in the final.
In the championship encounter, Surguja Zone overcame Bilaspur Zone to claim the gold medal.
Ten players from Ichkela Girls’ Hostel formed part of the victorious squad.
Led by captain Gayatri Bai, the hostel players included Angel Lakra, Aastha Rani, Aakriti Yadav, Amisha Lakra, Sakshi Yadav, Supriya Minj, Ananya Sidar, Alka Rani Kujur and Aradhana.
The victory marked a particularly impressive achievement because Surguja Zone had also won the Under-17 girls’ cricket championship at the previous year’s state-level tournament in Kanker.
Retaining the title for a second successive year reflects the team’s consistency, preparation and ability to perform against strong competition.
For the young players, the result represents another important step in their sporting development.
Under-19 Team Completes the Double-Gold Achievement
The Under-19 girls’ cricket team added to the celebrations by securing another state championship for Surguja Zone.
At the state-level competition held in Rajnandgaon, beginning September 24, 2026, the team defeated opponents from Raipur, Durg, Bilaspur and Bastar zones to emerge champions.
Ten players from Ichkela Hostel contributed to the winning side.
They were Varsha Bai, Santoshi Bai, Jigyasa Kujur, Tulsika Bhagat, Purvanshi Sahu, Ritu Bhagat, Avina Bai, Jhumar Tirkey, Aryansi Beck and Anshika Raj Aryan.
According to the information provided by the district administration, eight of these players study at Lutheran Higher Secondary School, Ichkela. Aryansi Beck studies at Government Middle School, Ichkela, while Anshika Raj Aryan is from Ambikapur.
The Under-19 team’s achievement, combined with the Under-17 championship, gave Surguja Zone a memorable double victory.
It also demonstrated the depth of cricketing talent emerging from the Ichkela training environment.
Five to Six Years of Practice Behind the Victories
The achievements of the young cricketers are the result of years of preparation rather than a sudden breakthrough.
Hostel Superintendent Pandri Bai and Shankar explained that the girls had been practising cricket regularly for approximately five to six years.
Balancing education with sporting commitments, the players followed training routines designed to develop their cricketing skills, physical fitness and competitive confidence.
Their daily schedules required them to manage classroom responsibilities alongside practice sessions and tournament preparation.
The Under-17 team received coaching from Santosh Kumar.
The Under-19 team trained under the guidance of Pranshu Priya Dhanso and Santosh Kumar.
The coaches’ sustained involvement helped the players improve their performance and prepare for competition at the state level.
The hostel authorities also acknowledged the contributions of General Manager Anil Srivastava, Suganti Kujur, Reena Madam and other individuals associated with the players’ development.
Their collective support helped create an environment in which the girls could pursue sporting ambitions without neglecting their education.
Hostel Environment Helps Rural Girls Pursue Sporting Ambitions
The success of the Ichkela players highlights the importance of residential educational institutions in supporting young athletes from rural areas.
For students who live away from home to pursue their education, the availability of regular coaching, encouragement and opportunities to participate in competitions can make a substantial difference.
The Government Pre-Matric Girls’ Hostel at Ichkela has provided an environment in which these students have been able to continue their studies while developing their sporting abilities.
Their achievements illustrate the value of sustained institutional support, particularly for girls whose talent might otherwise remain unrecognised.
The double-gold performance is also likely to encourage other students in Jashpur to consider cricket and other sports as areas in which they can excel.
District Administration Congratulates Young Champions
Jashpur Collector Rohit Vyas congratulated the players, coaches and hostel management on their achievements.
He expressed satisfaction over the two gold medals and encouraged the girls to continue progressing in both education and sports.
The Collector also extended his best wishes for their future participation in national-level competitions.
According to the hostel administration, efforts are being made under the Collector’s guidance to address the players’ requirements and improve the availability of sports equipment.
The hostel authorities expressed appreciation for the support provided by the district administration and the Assistant Commissioner of the Tribal Development Department.
Such assistance is important in helping young athletes prepare for higher levels of competition.
Sporting Success From the Chief Minister’s Home District
The achievements carry special significance for Jashpur, the home district of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
The district’s young cricketers have brought attention to the sporting potential of rural and tribal regions through their performances against teams from across the state.
Their victories provide an encouraging example of what can be achieved when determination is supported by coaching, educational institutions and administrative assistance.
However, their success also underlines the importance of continuing to develop sporting infrastructure and training opportunities for young girls.
Talented athletes require sustained access to coaching, equipment, competitive exposure and educational support if they are to progress beyond school-level tournaments.
A New Generation of Girls Making Their Mark
The two championships represent more than additions to a trophy cabinet.
For the 20 players from Ichkela Hostel, the victories are recognition of years of commitment, repeated practice sessions and the discipline required to balance academics with competitive sport.
For their coaches and hostel authorities, the results reflect the value of patient guidance and consistent encouragement.
For Jashpur, the achievements offer a powerful example of young girls establishing themselves through talent and hard work.
The Under-17 team’s second consecutive state title and the Under-19 team’s championship victory have placed these young cricketers among the district’s promising sporting talents.
The girls of Ichkela have shown that with determination, regular training and the right opportunities, young athletes from rural communities can compete successfully at the highest level of school sport in Chhattisgarh.
Their next challenge will be to build upon these achievements and pursue opportunities to represent the state at national-level competitions.
