Chhattisgarh rewards 130 athletes with Rs 1.95 crore

Chhattisgarh's Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai recently recognized 130 athletes for their impressive performances at the National Games. These athletes received a total of Rs 1.95 crore as rewards for their achievements in Goa and Uttarakhand. During a special ceremony, the chief minister honored 72 athletes from the Goa National Games 2023 and 58 from the Uttarakhand National Games 2025. He praised their hard work and dedication, saying they have brought pride to the state. Sai encouraged them to continue striving for success in international competitions like the Asian Games and the Olympics. The incentives included Rs 1.07 crore for the medalists from Goa and Rs 87.60 lakh for those from Uttarakhand. The government also announced substantial rewards for future Olympic medalists, offering Rs 3 crore for gold, Rs 2 crore for silver, and Rs 1 crore for bronze. A key part of Sai's speech focused on promoting sports in the conflict-affected Bastar region. He mentioned the success of the Bastar Olympics, which featured 1.65 lakh participants, including victims of violence. The chief minister emphasized the importance of restoring peace and sport in this area. To further support sports development, the government plans to establish seven new Khelo India centers and coaching academies in various locations. A fund of Rs 20 crore has also been set aside to promote and develop traditional sports in Chhattisgarh.