Kumar Bahukhandi
IN Short
State government committed to promoting youth in every field, including education, employment and sports
Grand inauguration of the three-day Chhattisgarh State Youth Festival in Bilaspur
Unveiling of the mascot ‘Mor Veer’, theme song and Khelo India torch for Khelo India Tribal Games Chhattisgarh-2026
Several important announcements, including a Rs. 1 lakh incentive for Mallakhamb players
Raipur: The state-level youth festival, organised with the aim of giving national recognition to the talent, energy and creative potential of the youth of Chhattisgarh, was grandly inaugurated today at Bahatarai Stadium in Bilaspur.
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurated the three-day festival and unveiled the mascot ‘Mor Veer’, the theme song and the Khelo India torch for the Khelo India Tribal Games Chhattisgarh 2026 by pressing a remote button.
Chief Minister Sai paid homage to the statue of Swami Vivekananda, a source of inspiration for the youth. An excellent performance of Mallakhamb was given by players from the Abujhmad region at the inauguration ceremony. The Khelo India torch was unveiled by women’s Kabaddi player Sanju Devi and athletics player Amit Kumar.
Addressing the youth, Chief Minister Sai said that the youth are the future of the country and the state. The state government is working with full commitment to promote the youth in every field, including education, employment, skill development and sports. This youth festival is not only a platform to recognise the talents of the youth, but also a powerful medium to take them to the national level.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced incentive amounts for players who performed exceptionally well in Khelo India, a special incentive of Rs. 1 lakh for Mallakhamb players, and that the state government will bear all the travel expenses of Mallakhamb player Anantai Potai, who has been selected for America’s Got Talent.
He said that more than 3,000 youth from across the state are participating in this youth festival, showcasing their talents in 14 cultural and literary disciplines (8 team and 6 individual events). The winning talents in folk dance, folk music, debate, painting, and poetry writing will represent Chhattisgarh at the National Youth Festival to be held in New Delhi in 2026.
Chief Minister Sai said that the participation of more than 165,000 youths in the Bastar Olympics is proof that Chhattisgarh is rapidly moving towards peace, development, and positive change, free from Naxalism.
He added that there are immense possibilities for sports in the tribal areas, and the government is identifying and promoting the talents from these regions.
Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu said that the country progresses through the creative thinking of its youth, and both the central and state governments are continuously working together for the bright future of the youth.
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao announced that Olympic-level sporting events will also be organised in the Surguja region in the future.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said that Bastar is changing, and today, the youth from the tribal areas are showcasing their talent on the national stage.
Present on the occasion were Culture and Tourism Minister Rajesh Agrawal, MLAs Amar Agrawal, Dharamjit Singh, Dharamlal Kaushik, Sushant Shukla, Mayor Pooja Vidhani, CREDA Chairman Bhupendra Savani, Chhattisgarh Textbook Corporation Chairman Raja Pandey, along with a large number of public representatives, athletes, and youth.
