Reincarnating Raipur
The naxal-affected Bastar division is now becoming a sports hub. Chhattisgarh’s only sports complex has been completed in Jagdalpur, where matches of a dozen sports can be organized simultaneously. Along with this, international-level football synthetic ground is also ready. This is the first FIFA-approved ground in the state. In just two years, 54 players from this division have reached the national level while practicing here.
Seizing the benefit of the sports facilities, the players of Bastar are winning medals at the state and national levels. Earlier the players of Bastar had to attend other districts for training. Jagdalpur is the first Naxal-affected district to have 12 sports academies together. This academy has been opened on the initiative of the collector of the district. The sports department of Chhattisgarh has been able to open day-boarding academies of only four sports in 20 years. Whereas in Bastar Academy, training is being given in football, volleyball, basketball, handball, badminton, athletics, judo, karate, kabaddi, table tennis, chess, and tennis. At present, senior players of the district are giving training to junior players only on a trial basis. Coaches will also be recruited soon. Due to an initiative of the district administration, Jagdalpur has become famous in the sports world. The district administration has started the exercise of starting 12 sports academies here. In the first phase, training is being given to the players here under day-boarding. On the other hand, arrangements will also be made for the stay of 100 players in the boarding academy. At the same time, training for kayaking-canoeing is being given in Dalpat Sagar.
Players are made to practice for six hours daily. There are floodlights on almost all the grounds here. Due to this, players can practice even at night. The target of the district administration is to prepare the players of Bastar for the Olympics 2028 and 2032. Preparations have already started for this.
