Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai says ₹100 crore allocated for sports development; world-class facilities to help nurture athletes for national and international competitions
TFP Bureau, Raipur, October 10, 2026: Chhattisgarh is looking to strengthen its sports ecosystem with world-class training facilities and private investment, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Saturday while attending the partnership announcement and contract signing ceremony of Sendh Lake City and Elysium Clubs in Jora, Raipur.
Sai welcomed the proposed sports club in Naya Raipur and announced that renowned badminton coach and Padma Bhushan awardee Pullela Gopichand would establish a badminton academy in the state. He said the academy would provide local players access to high-quality coaching and help them prepare for national and international competitions.
“There is no shortage of sporting talent in Chhattisgarh. The need is to identify and nurture it through proper training and modern facilities,” the Chief Minister said, adding that the government had allocated ₹100 crore in the current budget for sports development.
He said sports helped build discipline, self-confidence, teamwork and leadership, making investment in sports an investment in the younger generation. The government, he added, was working to expand infrastructure and training opportunities so that talented athletes from remote areas were not disadvantaged by a lack of resources.
Bastar Olympics draws nearly 3.91 lakh participants
Highlighting the Bastar Olympics, Sai said the event had become a platform for identifying sporting talent in remote and tribal areas. Participation increased from around 1.65 lakh athletes in its inaugural year to approximately 3.91 lakh in the second year, reflecting growing interest in sports among the region’s youth.
He said young people in Bastar were increasingly pursuing opportunities in sports, education, skill development and employment. The government aimed to ensure that athletes from villages received opportunities comparable to those available in major cities.
The Chief Minister also referred to the National Tribal Games organised in Chhattisgarh under the Khelo India initiative. He cited weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav’s Commonwealth Games silver medal and Sanju Devi’s association with the Indian women’s kabaddi team that won gold at the Asian Games as examples of athletes bringing recognition to the state.
Gopichand stresses sports and physical development
Gopichand thanked the Chief Minister and the state government for their support, describing the Elysium Clubs initiative as a step towards promoting sports, health and an active lifestyle. He said India’s approach to sports had changed significantly over the past decade, with international sporting achievements strengthening national confidence.
He stressed that children’s physical development should receive attention alongside education and literacy. Opportunities to participate in sports and physical activities, he said, were essential for developing healthy, disciplined and confident citizens.
Gopichand appreciated the state government’s efforts to promote sports through facilities, schemes and investment. He said achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047 would require a generation that was not only educated but also physically fit and active.
Development push extends beyond sports
Sai also highlighted the government’s efforts to expand development in Bastar and other regions affected by Naxalism. He said improved security and cooperation from local communities were helping open new opportunities in roads, education, healthcare, communications, sports and employment.
Referring to the state’s long-term economic ambitions, the Chief Minister said Chhattisgarh had set a target of building a ₹75 lakh crore economy by 2047. He cited the state’s mineral resources, forest produce, water and energy potential as assets for attracting investment and generating employment.
He also referred to discussions with investors during his recent Singapore visit, including interest in data centres and agro-processing. The government, he said, was working to create more opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship through its industrial policy.
Sai added that administrative reforms, the expansion of digital government services and the establishment of the Good Governance and Convergence Department were intended to make governance more transparent, accessible and citizen-centric.
Finance, Housing and Environment Minister O.P. Choudhary said Naya Raipur was emerging as a centre for education, healthcare, technology and modern urban infrastructure. He noted that the proposed badminton academy would enable players to receive advanced training within Chhattisgarh, while the government was also pursuing plans for a data centre and semiconductor unit in Naya Raipur.
Prahlad Rai Agrawal, Deepchand Rajliwal, Pavitra Kumar, Dr Himanshu Dwivedi and other dignitaries attended the event.
