Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao felicitates winners at 36th National Canoe Sprint Championship; Madhya Pradesh clinches overall title
TFP Bureau, Raipur, June 14,2026: Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister and Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Shri Arun Sao on Sunday assured all possible government support for the promotion of kayaking and canoeing in the state while addressing the closing ceremony of the 36th National Canoe Sprint Championship at the Sendh Reservoir in Naya Raipur.
The three-day championship, which began on June 12, witnessed the participation of 810 athletes from 24 states, along with nearly 400 officials, sports association representatives and support staff. Madhya Pradesh emerged as the overall champion, while Kerala and Odisha secured second and third positions respectively.
Presenting awards to the winning athletes and teams, Sao praised the growing performance of Chhattisgarh’s paddlers, noting that they have been consistently winning medals in national competitions. He said the state government is committed to strengthening the sport by providing better facilities and encouragement to aspiring athletes.
Highlighting the broader role of sports in nation-building, the Deputy Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sustained efforts are being made to enhance India’s sporting ecosystem and prepare the country to become one of the world’s leading sporting nations by 2047. He added that strategic initiatives are being implemented to improve India’s medal prospects at international events such as the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Sao stressed that sports are not only about competition but also about building confidence, discipline and opportunities for young people. Encouraging greater participation in athletics, he remarked that sports can bring respect, prosperity and recognition, urging youth to embrace the spirit of “those who play, flourish.”
Technical Education, Skill Development and Employment Minister Guru Khushwant Saheb, who also attended the closing ceremony, commended the successful organisation of the championship despite adverse weather conditions. He said athletes from across the country displayed exceptional skill and determination and noted that sports have increasingly become a promising career option for young people.
The championship featured junior and sub-junior canoe sprint events for both men and women at the Sendh Reservoir in Naya Raipur. Several officials and representatives from kayaking and canoeing associations across the country attended the event, including Chhattisgarh State Kayaking-Canoeing Association President Baldev Singh Bhatia, Secretary Prashant Raghuvanshi, Asian Kayaking-Canoeing Association President Prashant Kushwaha, Dr. D.K. Singh of the Uttarakhand Kayaking-Canoeing Association and Odisha Kayaking-Canoeing Association representative Bipin Das.
