Raipur, Sep 12: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday affirmed that the Chhattisgarh government will ensure that talented sportspersons, particularly those from rural, forested, and remote regions, receive access to world-class training, modern facilities, and opportunities to compete on national and international stages.

Addressing the executive body and general council meetings of the Chhattisgarh Olympic Association at the New Circuit House in Civil Lines, Raipur, the Chief Minister stated that the administration is actively expanding sports infrastructure and building robust systems to identify and nurture grassroots talent.

“Sports go beyond competitions and medals; they play an imperative role in instilling discipline, confidence, team spirit, and positive energy among the youth,” Chief Minister Sai remarked.

He urged major industrial groups operating in Chhattisgarh to actively contribute to sports development. Their collaboration could significantly assist sports associations and athletes with training, modern equipment, competitive exposures, and facility building, he noted.

Recalling his tenure as Union Minister of State, Chief Minister Sai pointed out that closer coordination between corporate industries and sports bodies yields transformative results. He called for a planned framework to connect corporate entities with specific sports disciplines and associations.

To streamline administrative processes, the Chief Minister announced that a senior officer from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat will be assigned special responsibility to coordinate with the Chhattisgarh Olympic Association. This measure aims to accelerate official approvals, resolve operational hurdles, and strengthen synergy between the state administration and sports bodies.

Highlighting infrastructure expansion, Chief Minister Sai confirmed that sports complexes are under construction in Raipur, Raigarh, and Kunkuri.

An advanced archery academy is being built in Raipur at an estimated cost of ₹60 crore. Additionally, another archery academy is being set up at Pandrapath in Jashpur with an outlay of ₹20 crore to ₹25 crore.

The Jashpur facility will cater to talented sportspersons from the district and surrounding tribal areas. The Chief Minister emphasized the region’s rich archery heritage, especially within the Pahadi Korwa community, where the sport remains deeply linked with local culture and daily life. Access to expert coaching, modern equipment, and proper infrastructure will propel this traditional talent onto global stages, he added.

Underscoring the sports potential in Bastar and Surguja, Chief Minister Sai noted that the Bastar Olympics has offered thousands of youth from remote pockets a platform to demonstrate their skills. He announced that the state will organize the event annually. Similarly, the Surguja Olympics is helping unearth hidden talent from northern Chhattisgarh.

He stressed using sports to channel the energy of Bastar’s youth constructively amid a transforming environment of peace and regional development. Through the Khel Utkarsh Mission, the government is committed to identifying promising athletes and providing them with high-grade training facilities.

“Whether an athlete emerges from a major city, a remote village, or a dense forest, our effort is to offer equal opportunities for everyone to excel,” he reiterated.

Chief Minister Sai praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving unprecedented impetus to Indian sports, highlighting the Prime Minister’s regular interactions with athletes to boost their morale ahead of major international meets.

He stated that the state government has revived the prestigious ‘Rajya Khel Alankaran Samaroh’ to honour outstanding sportspersons with cash awards and accolades, while simultaneously creating job opportunities for top achievers in government service.

The meeting also deliberated on bidding for the hosting rights of the 40th National Games. Chief Minister Sai said the state government will make formal efforts with central authorities to secure the hosting rights.

If selected, Chhattisgarh will explore hosting select events in Bastar to inspire local youth, showcase the region’s changing security landscape, and accelerate sports infrastructure development state-wide.

Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap stated that the state government, led by Chief Minister Sai, is taking concrete steps to bolster sports infrastructure, noting that dedicated budgetary provisions and the revival of state sports awards have significantly raised athlete morale.

Terming archery an integral element of tribal life in Chhattisgarh’s forests, Minister Kashyap advocated for technical coaching to help traditional archers transition to competitive levels. He also pointed out that tribal youth in Bastar are excelling in mallakhamb, urging sports bodies to identify promising athletes in both individual and team sports for specialized training.

Durg MP Vijay Baghel commended the state government’s athletic initiatives, emphasizing that government job reservations for sports achievers and the appointment of a dedicated nodal officer from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat will give sports administration a major boost.

Chhattisgarh Olympic Association General Secretary Dr Vikram Sisodiya presented the report of the previous executive body meeting and highlighted key achievements, upcoming programmes, and financial audits.

The council reviewed preparations for Olympic Day on 23 June, evaluated funding requirements for state sports bodies, and discussed income-expenditure details.

The members agreed to form a specialized committee to facilitate the establishment of district Olympic associations in districts where they are currently non-existent. Issues concerning various sports discipline bodies, including the Handball Association, were also reviewed.

The meeting was attended by Association Vice-President Vijay Baghel, Dr Himanshu Dwivedi, Sharad Shukla, Ramesh Kumar Srivastava, Sunil Kumar Agrawal, alongside office-bearers and representatives from various sports bodies.