Raipur, October 2026: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has said that the state has no shortage of sporting talent and that providing athletes with world-class training, modern infrastructure and better opportunities is essential to help them excel at national and international competitions.
Addressing the partnership announcement and agreement-signing ceremony between Sendh Lake City and Elysium Clubs in Jora, Raipur, on Saturday, the Chief Minister said the state government was working systematically to identify, nurture and promote sporting talent.
“Our goal is to ensure that athletes from Chhattisgarh perform exceptionally well at national and international competitions and bring pride to the state and the country,” he said.
Welcoming the proposed world-class sports club in Nava Raipur, Sai said the initiative would strengthen the sporting culture in the state and provide young people with access to better training facilities. He congratulated the club's founders and team and welcomed Padma Bhushan awardee and renowned badminton player and coach Pullela Gopichand to Chhattisgarh.
He said Gopichand had played a significant role in bringing Indian badminton to international prominence and had guided several athletes to success on the global stage. The establishment of his badminton academy in Nava Raipur would be a major opportunity for talented players in the state.
Rs 100 crore allocated for sports development
Sai emphasised that sports were not merely about winning medals but also about developing discipline, self-confidence, teamwork and leadership skills.
“Investment in sports is an investment in our younger generation and the bright future of the state,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the state government had allocated Rs 100 crore in the current budget for the overall development of sports. In coordination with central government initiatives, including the Khelo India programme, the state is working to develop modern sports infrastructure, improve training facilities and provide talented athletes with the resources they need.
He stressed that no deserving athlete should be left behind because of a lack of resources, regardless of whether they came from a major city or a remote forest region. Providing equal opportunities and preparing athletes for national and international competitions remained a government priority.
Bastar Olympics brings remote talent into the spotlight
Highlighting the Bastar Olympics, Sai said the sporting event had emerged as an important platform for identifying hidden talent in remote and tribal areas.
Around 1.65 lakh participants took part in the first edition, while participation increased to approximately 3.91 lakh in the second year. He said the rise in numbers reflected growing enthusiasm for sports among the youth of Bastar and indicated positive changes across the region.
The Chief Minister said young people in Bastar were increasingly moving away from violence and turning towards sports, education, skill development and employment to build their futures.
The government's objective, he added, was to ensure that young people from remote villages received opportunities and platforms comparable to those available to athletes in major cities.
Sai also referred to the successful organisation of the National Tribal Games under the Khelo India programme in Chhattisgarh. He cited the achievements of weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav, who won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, and Sanju Devi, a member of the Indian women's kabaddi team that won gold at the Asian Games.
He said the achievements of women athletes from Chhattisgarh were bringing recognition to the state and inspiring the next generation.
Government highlights progress in Bastar
The Chief Minister described progress towards freeing Chhattisgarh from Naxalism as one of the major achievements of his government's nearly two-and-three-quarter-year tenure.
He said Naxalism had affected development in Bastar and several other regions for more than four decades. Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the firm resolve of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the campaign against Naxalism had gained decisive momentum, he said.
Paying tribute to the courage, dedication and sacrifice of security personnel, Sai also acknowledged the contribution of residents in Naxal-affected areas. He said the trust and cooperation of local communities were helping create new opportunities in roads, education, healthcare, communications, sports and employment.
He reiterated that the state government remained committed to fulfilling the promises made to people under the Modi Ki Guarantee initiative and extending good governance and development benefits to the last person.
Chhattisgarh targets Rs 75 lakh crore economy by 2047
Sai said Chhattisgarh was moving towards becoming a developed state in line with Prime Minister Modi's vision of a developed India by 2047. The state has set a target of expanding its economy to Rs 75 lakh crore by that year.
To achieve this goal, the government is focusing on the state's natural resources and traditional strengths, alongside new technologies, modern industries, the services sector and human resource development.
He said Chhattisgarh was rich in minerals, forest produce, water resources and energy, while its hardworking people remained its greatest strength. The government was working to convert these advantages into employment, entrepreneurship and investment opportunities.
The Chief Minister said the state's new industrial policy had received an encouraging response from domestic and international investors. During a recent visit to Singapore, positive discussions were held on investment opportunities in sectors including data centres and agricultural processing.
At a round-table meeting with chief executives of around 15 major companies, investors expressed interest in establishing industrial and business operations in Chhattisgarh, he said. Increased investment, he added, would create new employment and self-employment opportunities for young people.
Technology and good governance driving administrative reforms
Sai said the state government was undertaking reforms to make administration transparent, accountable and citizen-centric.
The establishment of the Department of Good Governance and Convergence was an important step in this direction. The government was expanding the use of the e-office system in the state secretariat and accelerating the digitisation of public services.
The objective, he said, was to make government services simpler, more accessible and transparent, ensuring that citizens received benefits in a timely manner.
Finance, Housing and Environment Minister Om Prakash Choudhary said Chhattisgarh's identity was no longer limited to minerals and heavy industries. The services sector, education, healthcare, technology and modern urban infrastructure were also expanding rapidly, with Nava Raipur emerging as a major centre of new opportunities.
He said institutions such as the National Institute of Fashion Technology and the National Forensic Sciences University were being established, while IIT, IIM, AIIMS and CIPET were already providing quality education and training to young people in the state.
Choudhary also highlighted the proposed badminton academy in Chhattisgarh under Gopichand's guidance, following similar initiatives in Amaravati and Hyderabad. He said it would enable talented local players to access world-class coaching without having to leave the state.
He added that work was progressing towards establishing a data centre and a semiconductor unit in Nava Raipur. The government was pursuing the long-term development of the state based on its Anjor vision document.
Pullela Gopichand stresses importance of a healthy, active generation
Pullela Gopichand thanked Chief Minister Sai and the state government for the warm welcome. He said Nava Raipur's planned and attractive development had given him a fresh perspective on Chhattisgarh.
He described the Elysium Clubs initiative as an important step towards promoting sports, health and an active lifestyle.
Gopichand said India's approach towards sports had changed significantly over the past 10 to 12 years. Recalling his meeting with Prime Minister Modi after the 2014 Commonwealth Games, he said national pride and confidence played a crucial role in a country's progress.
When an Indian athlete wins on the international stage and the national flag is raised, he said, it boosts the confidence of the entire country.
He stressed that children's physical development should receive as much attention as their education and literacy. Children must have sufficient opportunities to run, jump, climb and participate in different sporting activities.
Investment in sports, he said, goes beyond producing athletes and contributes to building a healthier, more disciplined and confident society.
Gopichand praised the Chhattisgarh government's efforts to promote sporting excellence through schemes, infrastructure and investment. He said achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047 would require a generation that was not only educated but also healthy, active, disciplined and physically capable.
Several dignitaries, including Prahlad Rai Agrawal, Deepchand Rajliwal, Pavit Kumar and Dr Himanshu Dwivedi, along with a large number of citizens, attended the event.
