Exhibition celebrates Chhattisgarh’s sporting heritage, while book documents achievements of athletes who have brought laurels to the state
TFP Bureau, Raipur, August 29, 2026: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday unveiled the coffee table book ‘Hamare Khiladi’ and visited a special photo exhibition showcasing Chhattisgarh’s rich sporting heritage and the achievements of its athletes on the occasion of National Sports Day.
The exhibition and book were unveiled during the State Sports Awards ceremony at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Auditorium in Raipur. The initiative aims to preserve the state’s sporting history and inspire the younger generation to take up sports.
Sai went through the photographs and information displayed at the exhibition, which documented the lives, struggles, achievements and contributions of prominent sportspersons from Chhattisgarh. He appreciated the initiative for bringing the state’s sporting legacy before a new generation.
Sporting icons and their journeys showcased
The exhibition features the journeys of several sporting icons, including Shaheed Rajiv Pandey, Shaheed Pankaj Vikram, Shaheed Kaushal Yadav and Shaheed Vinod Chaubey. It also highlights the life, dedication and contribution of Veer Hanuman Singh to sports.
Through photographs, profiles and inspiring anecdotes, the exhibition traces the journey of athletes from their early struggles to success at major sporting platforms.
The displays are designed to motivate young people to pursue sports, overcome challenges and strive for excellence.
‘Hamare Khiladi’ documents sporting achievements
The Chief Minister also unveiled ‘Hamare Khiladi’, a coffee table book featuring the biographies, sporting journeys and major achievements of athletes who have represented Chhattisgarh at national and international levels.
Richly illustrated with photographs, the publication documents the contribution of the state’s sportspersons and provides a record of Chhattisgarh’s sporting heritage. It is also intended to introduce young people to athletes who have brought recognition to the state through their achievements.
The photo exhibition and coffee table book have been prepared jointly by the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare and the Department of Public Relations.
Bringing Chhattisgarh’s sporting legacy to one platform
The initiative brings together the state’s sporting history, its celebrated sports icons and the achievements of contemporary athletes on a common platform.
The exhibition and publication are expected to serve as both a record of the state’s sporting journey and a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes.
Union Minister of State Tokhan Sahu, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Culture Minister Rajesh Agrawal, Technical Education Minister Khushwant Saheb, MPs Brijmohan Agrawal and Vijay Baghel, MLAs Purandar Mishra, Motilal Sahu and Sunil Soni, Chhattisgarh Minorities Commission Chairman Amarjeet Chhabra, State Youth Commission Chairman Vishwavijay Singh Tomar and Olympic Association President Dr Vikram Sisodia were among those present.
Office-bearers of various sports associations, players, coaches and a large number of sports enthusiasts also attended the event.
