Six teams to compete in inaugural season; league aims to provide state players national-level exposure and a competitive platform
TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 25, 2026: Chhattisgarh is set to witness a new chapter in its hockey journey with the launch of the inaugural Chhattisgarh Hockey League, which has been recognised by Hockey India and is being organised by the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare.
The league will be conducted at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium in Raipur and is scheduled to be held tentatively from October 21 to November 1. According to the state government, it will be the country’s first state-level hockey league to be organised in a fully professional and commercial format on the lines of the Hockey India League.
Deputy Chief Minister and Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Arun Sao unveiled the league’s logo, tagline and mascot at an event at the New Rest House in Raipur on Tuesday.
Sao said the primary objective of the league was to provide a major platform to young hockey players from Chhattisgarh and give them an opportunity to play alongside and learn from some of the country’s best players.
“Chhattisgarh has a rich hockey tradition and is home to considerable sporting talent. The Chhattisgarh Hockey League will provide these players with opportunities to progress while connecting them with national-level experience and a highly competitive environment,” Sao said.
Six regional teams to compete
Six teams representing different regions of Chhattisgarh will participate in the inaugural season. They are:
- Rajdhani Royals
- Chitrakoot Challengers
- Sanskardhani Strikers
- Chakradhar Champions
- Nyaydhani Knights
- Mainpat Titans
The teams will bring together players and sporting identities from different parts of the state on a single competitive platform.
‘Chalav Re Sangi, Hockey Khelbo’
The league’s logo has been designed around the map of Chhattisgarh. Its saffron and green elements reflect the spirit of India, while an upward-moving orange line represents progress and the forward-looking spirit of the state.
The league’s tagline, “Chalav Re Sangi, Hockey Khelbo”, carries a distinctly Chhattisgarhi flavour and translates to “Come friend, let’s play hockey.”
The official mascot, a tiger named ‘Baghva’, draws inspiration from Chhattisgarh’s forests and wildlife. It represents courage, strength and fearlessness, qualities that the organisers hope will reflect the fighting spirit of the players on the field.
Top four teams to enter semi-finals
All six teams will initially compete in league-stage matches. The top four teams in the points table will qualify for the semi-finals, with the winners progressing to the final.
To ensure technical standards and impartiality, all umpires and technical officials for the matches will be appointed by Hockey India.
Free entry for spectators
The league will combine sporting action with entertainment programmes organised during the tournament. Special activities will be held daily to enhance the experience for spectators.
In a move aimed at encouraging greater public participation and attracting young sports enthusiasts, entry to all league matches will be free of charge.
Senior officials present at the logo launch included Sports and Youth Welfare Department Secretary Yashwant Kumar, Director Akanksha Shiksha Khalkho, Joint Director Prabhakar Pandey and Chhattisgarh Hockey Association President Firoz Ansari.
The organisers expect the league to create a strong competitive ecosystem for hockey in the state while giving emerging players an opportunity to gain valuable experience alongside established national-level talent.
