Chief Minister Shri Sai Chairs a High-Level Review Meeting of Mukhyamantri Khel Utkarsh Mission
Strong Sports Ecosystem to Be Developed for Talent Identification, Quality Training and Improved Performance
Special Emphasis on Identifying Sporting Talent in Villages, Tribal and Remote Areas and Providing Better Training and Opportunities
Chief Minister Directs Officials to Promote Sports at School Level and Create a Supportive Environment for Children to Pursue Sports as a Career
Structured Training System to Be Developed from Feeder Centres to Centres of Excellence
Focus on Modern Sports Infrastructure, Sports Science, Qualified Coaches, Nutrition and Regular Competitions
Plan to Increase Bilaspur Sports Excellence Centre’s Capacity from 165 to 300 Athletes
Special Opportunities for Women and Para-Athletes; Talent Hunt and Mukhyamantri Trophy to Identify Emerging Talent
Detailed Deliberations Held on Five-Year Action Plan and Financial Management for Mukhyamantri Khel Utkarsh Mission
Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai chaired a high-level review meeting of the Mukhyamantri Khel Utkarsh Mission at Mahanadi Bhawan on Tuesday. During the meeting, he stated that Chhattisgarh has no shortage of sporting talent. Many talented young athletes live in villages, tribal regions and remote areas. With timely identification, quality training, modern facilities, and adequate opportunities to compete, they can bring recognition to the state and the country at national and international levels.
The state government aims to create a structured pathway that helps athletes progress from village playgrounds to international competitions. The Mukhyamantri Khel Utkarsh Mission is an important initiative to turn this vision into reality.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that talented athletes from Chhattisgarh, such as Gyaneshwari Yadav and Sanju Devi, have demonstrated through their achievements that the state’s youth have immense potential to excel on national and international sporting platforms.
He emphasised the need to identify talent early and provide athletes with continuous, quality training, expert guidance, and exposure to high-level competitions.
The Chief Minister directed officials to prepare an action plan that clearly defines every stage of an athlete’s development, from talent identification to becoming a high-performance athlete.
Sports Talent Identification Must Reach Villages and Remote Areas
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the search for sporting talent should not remain limited to major cities and established sports academies. Numerous talented athletes live in Chhattisgarh’s villages, tribal regions and remote areas. Young people in these regions have traditionally been associated with sports such as archery, kabaddi and several other disciplines. He stressed the need to identify such talent and provide scientific and systematic training.
The Chief Minister said that the success of the Khel Utkarsh Mission would depend on how many talented athletes could be identified at the grassroots level and given opportunities to progress. No talented athlete should be left behind merely because of a lack of resources or opportunities.
Strengthening Sports Culture from the School Level
The Chief Minister placed special emphasis on involving children in school-level sporting activities. He said children in villages once had a natural connection with playgrounds, but changing lifestyles have weakened it. The need is to strengthen it again.
Chief Minister Shri Sai directed officials to encourage regular school sports through physical education teachers. He said sports not only improve children’s physical health but also build discipline, self-confidence, leadership qualities, and team spirit.
Identifying talent at the school level will help ensure that deserving children receive specialised training at the right time. It will also encourage them to consider sports as a promising future career.
Strong Training Network to Be Developed from Feeder Centres to Centres of Excellence
The meeting discussed the action plan to develop priority sports under the Mukhyamantri Khel Utkarsh Mission, including athletics, archery, hockey, boxing, wrestling, weightlifting, swimming, badminton, judo, and kabaddi. The proposed system for establishing feeder centres, high-performance training centres and centres of excellence was reviewed to help athletes progress from the grassroots level.
Feeder centres will identify talented children from rural and urban areas and provide them with initial training. Athletes who perform better will gradually be connected with sports academies and advanced training centres.
The Chief Minister said that regular monitoring of athletes’ performance and progress is equally important after talent identification. He directed officials to develop a system to regularly assess each selected athlete’s training, performance, and requirements. The system should also ensure that better-performing athletes continue to get opportunities to advance to the next level.
Special Focus on Qualified Coaches and Sports Science
Chief Minister Shri Sai emphasised the need to ensure the availability of a sufficient number of qualified and trained coaches across different sports disciplines. He said the government should appoint specialist coaches and provide necessary facilities based on each sport’s potential in different locations. Detailed discussions were also held during the meeting on developing modern sports science facilities.
The meeting considered plans to make nutrition, health examinations, psychological support, fitness, injury prevention and rehabilitation an integral part of athletes’ training programmes.
The Chief Minister said that technology and sports science play an important role in international sporting competitions today. Athletes from Chhattisgarh should also benefit from these modern training facilities.
The meeting reviewed the proposed expansion of the Sports Excellence Centre in Bilaspur. The plan includes increasing the centre’s residential athlete capacity from 165 to 300 and expanding the sports disciplines there.
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure effective maintenance and use of the state’s existing sports infrastructure. He said existing stadiums, playgrounds, and training centres should be maintained regularly and upgraded where necessary to provide quality facilities for athletes.
Talent Hunt and Mukhyamantri Trophy to Provide Platforms for Emerging Athletes
Chief Minister Shri Sai said regular competition opportunities are essential alongside training. Competitions help athletes assess their performance and build the confidence needed for major sporting events.
The meeting discussed a proposed system to organise regular competitions at the development block, district, and state levels through the Talent Hunt and Mukhyamantri Trophy initiatives. These competitions will provide athletes from remote areas with opportunities to showcase their talent.
Athletes who demonstrate outstanding performance will be identified and given opportunities for advanced training and participation in higher-level competitions.
Special Encouragement for Women and Para-Athletes
Chief Minister Shri Sai directed officials to make special efforts to support women athletes and athletes with disabilities. He said Chhattisgarh’s daughters have demonstrated their talent and capabilities in various sports. They should have a safe environment, quality training, necessary sporting facilities, and adequate opportunities to compete.
The meeting also discussed plans for special training camps for women athletes, developing para-sports, and preparing talented athletes for national and international competitions.
CM Directs Officials to Prepare Five-Year Action Plan
Chief Minister Shri Sai directed officials to prepare a clear, result-oriented and practical action plan for the Mukhyamantri Khel Utkarsh Mission for the next five years. Detailed deliberations were also held on implementing the mission’s various components and managing its finances.
The Chief Minister emphasised better coordination among the Sports and Youth Welfare Department, School Education Department, Higher Education Department, Health Department, Urban Administration Department and other concerned departments. He said that sports development is not the responsibility of any single department. All concerned departments must work together to develop a strong sporting culture and a supportive environment for athletes across the state.
Chief Minister Shri Sai said that the state government’s efforts are not limited to expanding sports facilities. The objective is to develop a strong sports ecosystem in Chhattisgarh where athletes receive all necessary support through a structured system, covering talent identification, training, sports science, nutrition, competitions and high-level performance. He said the government’s goal is to ensure every talented athlete in Chhattisgarh gets a chance to showcase their abilities. Their journey from village playgrounds should lead them to national and international sporting platforms.
Through the Mukhyamantri Khel Utkarsh Mission, the government aims to build a system that will establish Chhattisgarh as a state of outstanding athletes in the coming years.
Deputy Chief Minister Shri Arun Sao, Finance Minister Shri O.P. Choudhary, Chief Secretary Shri Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary of the Urban Administration and Development Department Shri Sonmoni Borah, Principal Secretary of the Women and Child Development Department Smt Shahla Nigar, Secretary of the School Education Department Dr. Kamalpreet Singh, Secretary of the Health Department Shri Amit Kataria, Secretary of the Information and Technology Department Shri Ankit Anand, Secretary of the Public Works Department Shri Mukesh Bansal, Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Rahul Bhagat, Secretary of the Sports Department Shri Yashwant Kumar and senior officials of the concerned departments attended the meeting.