TFP Bureau, Raipur, January 13, 2026: Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai on Tuesday made a series of major development announcements for Kharora and surrounding areas while presiding as the chief guest at the grand closing ceremony of the CM Trophy All India Football Championship in Kharora, Raipur district. Addressing a large gathering of players, sports enthusiasts and local residents, the Chief Minister announced that the construction of the Samoda Barrage would be expedited and that a bypass road and Gaurav Path would be constructed in Kharora to strengthen connectivity and accelerate regional development.
Expressing his happiness at attending the fifth edition of the CM Trophy, organised by the Johar Sangwari Football Association, Shri Sai said hosting a national-level sports tournament in a semi-urban area like Kharora was a matter of pride for Chhattisgarh. Such events, he said, provide a strong platform for local youth to showcase their talent while also promoting sports culture at the grassroots level.
The Chief Minister warmly welcomed teams from across the country and congratulated Ramakrishna Mission, Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, for emerging champions after a thrilling tournament that featured 16 teams from nine states. In the final match, the Narayanpur team defeated PFC Kerala, which finished as runners-up. Praising both teams for their sportsmanship and high-quality performance, Shri Sai said competitions like the CM Trophy strengthen unity, discipline and teamwork among youth.
Shri Sai particularly lauded the contribution of the Ramakrishna Mission in promoting education, social welfare and sports in remote and Naxal-affected areas of the state. He said the Mission’s work has played a vital role in bringing positive change and nurturing talent among tribal and rural youth. He also encouraged the PFC Kerala team to continue their hard work and return stronger in future tournaments.
Highlighting development initiatives in the region, the Chief Minister said that works worth nearly ₹400 crore have been carried out in the Dharsiwa Assembly constituency over the past two years. He appreciated the proactive role of local MLA Shri Anuj Sharma in ensuring the implementation of development and public welfare projects.
Reiterating the state government’s commitment to sports development, Shri Sai said the Sports Awards Ceremony, which had been discontinued earlier, has been revived. Efforts are being made to identify and nurture sports talent from every village, and sports grounds are being developed as per local requirements under the Khelo India scheme. He noted that the Bastar Olympics, launched last year, has witnessed a doubling of participation within just two years, reflecting growing enthusiasm for sports in the state.
The Chief Minister further informed that international cricket matches are now being held regularly in Chhattisgarh, and discussions are underway to host two Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in the state in the near future.
Addressing the ceremony, Revenue Minister Shri Tankram Verma congratulated both the winning and runner-up teams, saying that success in sports comes through perseverance, discipline and continuous practice. Appreciating the development initiatives undertaken by the state government over the past two years, he said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai, Chhattisgarh is steadily progressing towards becoming one of the leading states in the country.
MLA Shri Anuj Sharma said this was the fifth edition of the CM Trophy and announced that the tournament would now be held permanently in the name of Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai. He said the revival of sports awards, the success of the Bastar Olympics and the regular hosting of international cricket matches at the state’s international stadium reflect the government’s strong commitment to sports and youth development.
At the conclusion of the tournament, the winning team was awarded a cash prize of ₹1 lakh along with the Chief Minister’s Trophy, while players from other teams were also honoured for their performance. Several public representatives, dignitaries and a large number of spectators were present at the event, making the closing ceremony a grand celebration of sports and development.
