Raipur Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai inaugurated the divisional-level competitions of Bastar Olympic 2025 at the Indira Priyadarshini Stadium in Jagdalpur on Thursday. Addressing thousands of athletes and spectators, he said, “Your Chief Minister is one among you, a brother to all. Move forward with confidence — the government stands with you at every step.”
Athletes from all seven districts of Bastar division, along with participants from Nuwabat, took part in a spectacular march-past, impressing the audience with their discipline and enthusiasm.
“Bastar Moving Towards Peace, Harmony and Prosperity”
In his address, the Chief Minister said that the government is committed to ensuring development reaches every village of Bastar. As a result, the region is now progressing towards peace, social harmony and prosperity, contributing significantly to the growth of the state and the country.
He expressed happiness over the massive participation of youth, especially women, stating that their enthusiasm reflects a new wave of women empowerment in Bastar.
The Chief Minister also announced major incentives for athletes, declaring that sportspersons who win gold, silver and bronze medals in international Olympic events will receive ₹3 crore, ₹2 crore and ₹1 crore respectively.
Government Focus on Youth and Sports Infrastructure
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, speaking at the event, said the Bastar Olympic is not only a sports initiative but also a means to integrate youth with the mainstream of development. He assured that sports infrastructure in Bastar will be further strengthened.
Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma added that the government is giving special encouragement and opportunities to talented youth from remote interior regions.
The event also witnessed the presence of Forest Minister Kedar Kashyap and Padma Shri awardee and Olympic bronze medalist M.C. Mary Kom, who motivated the athletes and conveyed her best wishes.
Record-Breaking Participation
Tanuja Salam, Director of Sports and Youth Welfare, informed that nearly 3,500 athletes from Bijapur, Dantewada, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Bastar and Nuwabat are participating at the divisional level. She highlighted that the Bastar Olympic is witnessing an extraordinary rise in participation — from 1.65 lakh athletes last year to over 3.92 lakh this year, including 2.27 lakh women athletes, indicating a transformative shift in the region.
Torch Relay Led by Youth from Remote Regions
The inauguration ceremony began with torch lighting and fireworks, followed by vibrant cultural performances by students from Rukmani Kanya Ashram and other schools.
A proud moment came when the ceremonial torch was handed over to Vijay Dodi, a kabaddi player from remote Purvati in Sukma, and Saloni Kawachi, a kho-kho athlete from Orchha block in Narayanpur. Running confidently before thousands of spectators, they carried the torch across the stadium — a symbolic moment of hope and progress for regions once affected by extremism.
A Festival of Sports and Unity
The spectacular opening ceremony, marked by the presence of thousands of athletes and spectators, reaffirmed that Bastar is emerging as a powerhouse of sporting talent. With the committed support of the state government, these athletes are steadily moving toward national and international platforms.