TFP Bureau, Raipur, September 26, 2025: In a landmark decision aimed at encouraging sporting talent, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai on Friday announced that athletes from Chhattisgarh who qualify to participate in the Olympic Games will receive an incentive of ₹21 lakh. The announcement came during the Annual General Meeting of the Chhattisgarh Olympic Association, held at the Circuit House auditorium in Raipur, where the Chief Minister also presided in his capacity as Association President.
The meeting addressed several key matters, including the approval of the 2024–25 audit report, the presentation of the 2025–26 budget, and the appointment of an auditor for the new fiscal year. However, the highlight of the session was the Chief Minister’s address, where he outlined the state government’s renewed commitment to promoting sports at every level.
Shri Sai emphasized that Chhattisgarh is rich in sporting talent and the government is determined to provide athletes with the support they need to shine on national and international platforms. He noted that the state has revived the previously discontinued Sports Awards Ceremony and will soon reinstate the Outstanding Players’ Honors Ceremony. “Our priority is to recognize and nurture talent,” he declared, underlining the government’s vision of transforming Chhattisgarh into a hub of sporting excellence.
Detailing the financial incentives, the Chief Minister announced that athletes from the state who secure Olympic medals will receive substantial rewards – ₹3 crore for gold, ₹2 crore for silver, and ₹1 crore for bronze. These measures, he said, would provide not only recognition but also strong financial backing to athletes preparing for global competitions. He also highlighted that new Khelo India complexes had been inaugurated in the state, providing modern training infrastructure. Discussions with Union Sports Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya during his recent visit to Chhattisgarh, he added, had laid the groundwork for expanding facilities further.
The Chief Minister connected these state-level efforts to the national vision, noting Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s proposal for India to host the 2036 Olympic Games, with Ahmedabad selected as the host city. “The central government is committed to strengthening the country’s sporting ecosystem, and Chhattisgarh must contribute actively to this historic mission,” he said. He urged collective efforts to organize more national-level competitions in the state, ensuring exposure for local athletes to higher standards of competition.
Cabinet Minister and Vice President of the Association, Shri Kedar Kashyap, also addressed the gathering, highlighting initiatives such as the Bastar Olympics, which have provided a platform for athletes from remote tribal areas to showcase their talent. He said that under the Chief Minister’s leadership, sports had reached every corner of the state, giving new opportunities to young athletes.
On this occasion, General Secretary Shri Vikram Sisodiya presented the secretarial report, which outlined the Association’s achievements and future plans. The program was attended by a large number of office bearers and members, including Vice President Shri Himanshu Dwivedi, Shri Gajraj Pagaria, Treasurer Shri Sanjay Mishra, and other dignitaries from the sports community.
The Chief Minister concluded with an assurance that the government is working to increase the sports budget and encourage greater participation from the corporate sector in developing sporting infrastructure. “Sports is not just about medals,” he said, “it is about discipline, pride, and the spirit of Chhattisgarh. Our athletes will carry our state’s name to the global stage, and we will ensure they have the support to succeed.”
