Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai unveils logo and mascot ‘Gajru’; over 3.5 lakh players register across 12 sports disciplines
TFP Bureau, Raipur, January 29, 2026: Surguja region is set to witness a landmark sporting celebration with the launch of the Surguja Olympics, inspired by the successful Bastar Olympics, as Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai unveiled the official logo and mascot ‘Gajru’ at a ceremony held at Mahanadi Bhavan, Mantralaya, on Wednesday. Calling it a historic initiative for the region, the Chief Minister said the Surguja Olympics will provide a strong, structured and inclusive platform for local sporting talent to emerge and flourish.
Extending his greetings to the people of Surguja, Chief Minister Sai expressed satisfaction over the overwhelming public response to the event, with nearly 3.5 lakh players registering across 12 sporting disciplines. He said the scale of participation reflects the enthusiasm, energy and sporting spirit of the youth in the region. Drawing parallels with the Bastar Olympics, which earned national recognition for its mass participation, he expressed confidence that the Surguja Olympics would replicate and further build upon that success.
Reviewing the preparations, the Chief Minister said the high number of registrations clearly indicates that Surguja is fully geared up to host the Olympics with great enthusiasm. He extended advance best wishes for the smooth and successful conduct of the competitions at all levels.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare Arun Sao said the Surguja Olympics will play a transformative role in identifying grassroots talent and encouraging children and youth to actively participate in sports. He informed that winners of the competitions will receive direct entry into state training academies and will be recognised as Youth Icons, enabling them to serve as role models and inspire wider participation in sports across the region.
The logo of the Surguja Olympics 2026 has been designed to reflect the region’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and sporting aspirations. At its centre is the iconic Tiger Point waterfall of Mainpat, symbolising greenery, continuity and dynamic energy. The name “Surguja Olympics 2026” reinforces regional pride, while visual representations of 12 sports surrounding the design highlight inclusiveness and equal opportunity for all athletes.
The colour scheme of the logo represents vibrancy, unity and enthusiasm, with red holding special cultural significance. In the traditions of the Pahadi Korwa tribe, red symbolises strength, courage and life energy, reflecting the deep cultural connection between nature, spirituality and human life in the region.
The mascot ‘Gajru’, depicted as an elephant, embodies Surguja’s cultural and ecological identity. In tribal belief systems, the elephant signifies strength, wisdom, patience and unity. Its disciplined and balanced nature mirrors the values of sportsmanship, while its herd-oriented character symbolises teamwork, cooperation and collective participation.
Registrations for the Surguja Olympics were conducted between December 28, 2025 and January 25, 2026, drawing participants from six districts of the Surguja division. Of the total registrations, approximately 1.59 lakh men and 1.89 lakh women have enrolled, underlining strong female participation. Competitions will be organised at block, district and divisional levels in 12 disciplines, including kabaddi, kho-kho, archery, football, volleyball, hockey, wrestling and tug of war.
The unveiling ceremony was attended by Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary Rahul Bhagat, Sports Secretary Yashwant Kumar, Sports Director Tanuja Salam and other senior officials, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting sports as a vehicle for youth empowerment and regional development.
