Raipur to host 36th National Sub-Junior and Junior Championship from June 12; government committed to providing greater opportunities for athletes, says Chief Minister
TFP Bureau, Raipur, June 7,2026: Chhattisgarh is set to host a major national water sports event as Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday unveiled the official mascot, ‘Pahari Maina’, for the 36th National Sub-Junior and Junior Kayaking-Canoeing Championship at his residence-cum-office in Raipur.
Congratulating the organizers and extending his best wishes for the successful conduct of the championship, the Chief Minister reiterated the state government’s commitment to the promotion of sports and the creation of better opportunities for athletes.
Shri Sai said sports are not merely a medium of competition but play a vital role in shaping discipline, leadership qualities and overall personality development. He emphasized that the government is focused on strengthening sports infrastructure across the state while simultaneously providing athletes with platforms to showcase their talent at national and international levels.
“Providing a better platform for sporting talent is one of the government’s priorities. Such events help nurture young athletes and inspire them to achieve excellence,” the Chief Minister said.
Expressing confidence about the upcoming championship, Shri Sai noted that hosting a national-level event of this scale would inspire aspiring sportspersons in Chhattisgarh and further enhance the state’s identity on the sporting map of the country.
The 36th National Sub-Junior and Junior Kayaking-Canoeing Championship is being organized by the Chhattisgarh State Kayaking-Canoeing Association under the joint aegis of the Indian Kayaking-Canoeing Association and the Chhattisgarh Olympic Association. The three-day championship will be held from June 12 to June 14 at Sendh Lake in Naya Raipur.
Kayaking-Canoeing, an Olympic discipline, has witnessed significant achievements from Chhattisgarh athletes in recent years, with sportspersons from the state winning several medals at national competitions. Sports enthusiasts view the hosting of this prestigious championship in the state capital as a landmark moment in Chhattisgarh’s sporting journey.
Among those present on the occasion were Chhattisgarh Olympic Association General Secretary Shri Vikram Sisodia, Joint Secretary of the Indian Kayaking-Canoeing Federation and Chhattisgarh State Kayaking-Canoeing Association Shri Prashant Singh Raghuvanshi, along with office-bearers and representatives of the Chhattisgarh Olympic Association.
