Over 3.49 lakh athletes register; ₹10 crore annual provision announced, ₹20 crore archery academy to boost infrastructure
TFP Bureau, Raipur/Ambikapur, March 21,2026:
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday inaugurated the Surguja Olympics at the PG College Ground in Ambikapur, marking a major push towards promoting sports and youth engagement in northern Chhattisgarh.
Launched on the auspicious occasion of Chaitra Navratri from the revered land of Maa Mahamaya Temple, the event witnessed an enthusiastic start with a ceremonial march-past by athletes representing districts across the Sarguja division. The Chief Minister received the salute and encouraged participants to pursue excellence in sports.
Record Participation Reflects Growing Sports Culture
Highlighting the scale of participation, Sai said around 3.49 lakh athletes have registered for the Surguja Olympics, reflecting a deep-rooted enthusiasm for sports among the youth. Of these, over 2,000 athletes are currently competing at the divisional level in the three-day event.
He noted that the success of the Bastar Olympics inspired the expansion of the initiative to Surguja. While 1.65 lakh participants took part in the inaugural Bastar Olympics and 3.91 lakh this year, the strong response in Sarguja indicates a growing sports culture across the state.
“The spontaneous participation of lakhs of athletes shows their dedication and love for sports. This initiative is becoming a powerful medium for channelising youth energy in a positive direction,” the Chief Minister said.
Budget Push and Incentives for Athletes
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Sai announced a budgetary provision of ₹10 crore for the annual celebration of both Bastar and Sarguja Olympics. He also declared financial incentives for participants, with a total prize pool of ₹21 lakh for athletes and substantial rewards for medal winners.
Officials said competitions in more than 11 sporting disciplines are being organised, drawing participation from six districts of the division, including a significant number of women athletes.
Focus on Women and Youth Empowerment
Commonwealth Games gold medallist Geeta Phogat, who addressed the gathering, praised the large-scale participation of young women in the event. She encouraged athletes to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals, while also urging them to stay away from substance abuse and negative influences.
Tourism Minister Rajesh Agarwal said that out of the total participants, nearly 1.89 lakh are women, underlining the growing inclusivity of sports initiatives in the state.
Sports as a Tool for Social Integration
The Chief Minister emphasised that sports are being used as a means to integrate youth into the mainstream, particularly in regions previously affected by extremism. Referring to the success of the Bastar Olympics, he said even surrendered Naxals had participated in teams, signalling a shift towards peace and development.
Sai reiterated that efforts under the leadership of Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah are steadily bringing stability and development to such regions.
Infrastructure Boost: Archery Academy Announced
In a significant announcement, the Chief Minister said an archery academy will be established at Pandrapath in Sarguja at a cost of ₹20 crore. The facility is expected to provide advanced training to young athletes and nurture talent at the grassroots level.
He also highlighted the achievements of emerging athletes from the state, including Animesh Kujur, stating that Chhattisgarh has immense untapped sporting potential.
National-Level Events Ahead
Sai informed that for the first time, Chhattisgarh will host the Khelo India National Tribal Games, scheduled to begin on March 25, to be inaugurated by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. He said such events would further boost the state’s sporting ecosystem and provide national exposure to local talent.
Wide Participation of Leaders and Officials
The inaugural was attended by several dignitaries, including Agriculture Minister Ram Vichar Netam, Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Rajwade, MPs, MLAs and senior officials, along with a large gathering of athletes and spectators.
Describing the Surguja Olympics as a “historic opportunity,” Netam said the platform would help local talent gain recognition at national and international levels.
The launch of the Surguja Olympics is being seen as a landmark initiative aimed at fostering a culture of sports, empowering youth and strengthening social cohesion, while positioning Chhattisgarh as an emerging hub of sporting excellence.
