World-Class Sports Facilities Will Produce National and International Champions from Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai addresses the Sendh Lake City and Elysium Clubs partnership announcement and agreement-signing ceremony at Jora, Raipur, emphasising the development of world-class sports infrastructure and professional training facilities to prepare Chhattisgarh’s athletes for national and international competitions.Photo: primelookindia.com via CMO

Badminton legend Pullela Gopichand to establish an academy in Nava Raipur as Sendh Lake City and Elysium Clubs announce partnership; Sai highlights ₹100 crore sports allocation, rising participation in Bastar Olympics and the state’s vision for a ₹75 lakh crore economy by 2047

Key Highlights

• Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai welcomes the proposed world-class sports club in Nava Raipur and announces support for developing sporting talent.
• Padma Bhushan awardee Pullela Gopichand to establish a badminton academy offering advanced coaching to aspiring players.
• Chhattisgarh government allocates ₹100 crore for sports development and infrastructure in the current financial year’s budget.
• Participation in Bastar Olympics rises from approximately 1.65 lakh in its first year to 3.91 lakh in its second edition.
• Finance Minister O. P. Choudhary describes Nava Raipur as an emerging centre for education, technology, investment and modern infrastructure.
• Chief Minister reiterates the state’s ambition to build a ₹75 lakh crore economy by 2047.

World-Class Training to Unlock Chhattisgarh’s Sporting Potential

Raipur: Chhattisgarh possesses immense sporting talent, and the state government’s priority is to identify promising athletes, provide them with modern infrastructure and prepare them for national and international competitions, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Addressing the partnership announcement and agreement-signing ceremony between Sendh Lake City and Elysium Clubs at Jora in Raipur, Sai welcomed the proposal to establish a world-class sports club in Nava Raipur and expressed confidence that the initiative would strengthen the state’s sporting culture and create new opportunities for young athletes.

The Chief Minister said that talent alone was insufficient to produce champions unless athletes received systematic training, professional guidance, modern facilities and sustained institutional support.

He emphasised that the government was working towards creating an environment in which promising sportspersons from cities, villages and remote tribal regions could pursue their ambitions without being restricted by inadequate resources.

Sai welcomed renowned badminton player and coach Pullela Gopichand, a Padma Bhushan awardee, and acknowledged his contribution to Indian badminton.

He said the proposed badminton academy in Nava Raipur would provide an important opportunity for young players to receive high-quality coaching within Chhattisgarh.

Gopichand’s Badminton Academy to Strengthen Training Facilities

The proposed academy represents an important development for Chhattisgarh’s emerging badminton players, many of whom otherwise have to look beyond the state for specialised coaching and advanced training opportunities.

Sai praised Gopichand’s role in mentoring athletes who have represented India successfully on the international stage.

The Chief Minister expressed confidence that the academy would help identify talented players and provide them with the professional guidance necessary to compete at higher levels.

He also congratulated the founders and organisers associated with the proposed sports club, describing the initiative as a meaningful contribution to the state’s sporting infrastructure.

The partnership between Sendh Lake City and Elysium Clubs is expected to promote organised sports, fitness and an active lifestyle in Nava Raipur.

Sports Build Discipline, Confidence and Leadership: Sai

Chief Minister Sai emphasised that the importance of sports extends far beyond winning medals or securing positions in competitions.

He observed that participation in sporting activities develops discipline, self-confidence, teamwork, determination and leadership qualities among young people.

Investing in sports, he said, is ultimately an investment in the future of society.

The Chief Minister underlined the government’s commitment to strengthening sports infrastructure, improving coaching facilities and ensuring that deserving athletes receive opportunities to develop their abilities.

He maintained that no talented player should be prevented from progressing simply because of geographical isolation or financial and infrastructural limitations.

Bastar Olympics Demonstrates Growing Sporting Enthusiasm

Highlighting the transformation taking place in Bastar, Sai described the Bastar Olympics as an effective platform for discovering sporting talent in remote and tribal regions.

He said the initiative had encouraged thousands of young people to participate in organised sporting activities and had created opportunities for athletes who previously lacked access to competitive platforms.

According to the Chief Minister, approximately 1.65 lakh participants took part in the first edition of the Bastar Olympics.

The figure increased substantially to around 3.91 lakh in the second edition, reflecting growing enthusiasm for sports across the region.

Sai linked this development to the wider social transformation underway in Bastar, where the government is seeking to expand opportunities in education, employment, skills development and sports.

He said young people were increasingly being encouraged to pursue constructive opportunities rather than becoming involved in violence.

The Chief Minister also referred to Chhattisgarh’s successful organisation of national tribal sporting events under the Khelo India initiative.

Chhattisgarh’s Women Athletes Bringing Recognition to the State

Sai highlighted the achievements of women athletes from Chhattisgarh who have brought recognition to the state through their performances at major sporting events.

He referred to weightlifter Gyaneshwari Yadav, who won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games, and Sanju Devi, a member of the gold medal-winning Indian women’s kabaddi team at the Asian Games.

Their achievements, he said, demonstrate the sporting potential of young women from Chhattisgarh.

The Chief Minister stressed that sustained encouragement, professional coaching and appropriate infrastructure could enable more athletes to compete successfully at national and international levels.

₹100 Crore Allocated for Sports Infrastructure

The Chief Minister said the state government had made a budgetary provision of ₹100 crore during the current financial year to strengthen sports development.

The allocation is intended to support infrastructure expansion, training facilities and initiatives aimed at identifying and nurturing sporting talent.

Sai said the state was also coordinating with central government programmes, including Khelo India, to develop modern sporting facilities.

Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai (centre) and Finance, Housing and Environment Minister O. P. Choudhary (second from right) attend a presentation during the Sendh Lake City and Elysium Clubs partnership ceremony at Jora, Raipur. Representatives of the participating organisations are also seen presenting a commemorative item.Photo:primelookindia.com via CMO

The government’s objective, he explained, was to ensure that talented players from remote forest regions received opportunities comparable to those available to athletes in major urban centres.

Bastar’s Development Linked to Peace and New Opportunities

During his address, Sai also discussed the government’s campaign against Naxalism and its efforts to expand development activities in previously affected areas.

He described progress in tackling Naxalism as one of the significant achievements of his administration.

The Chief Minister credited the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the determination of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the courage of security personnel for the progress achieved.

He also acknowledged the contribution of local communities, whose cooperation and confidence were essential to restoring normalcy.

Sai said that roads, education, healthcare, communication networks, sports facilities and employment opportunities were gradually creating new possibilities in areas affected by decades of violence.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to implementing its development promises and extending the benefits of governance to the most remote communities.

Chhattisgarh Targets ₹75 Lakh Crore Economy by 2047

Moving beyond sports, the Chief Minister outlined the state’s broader development ambitions.

He said Chhattisgarh had set a target of developing a ₹75 lakh crore economy by 2047, in line with the national vision of Viksit Bharat.

Achieving this objective would require coordinated progress in industry, technology, services, infrastructure, education and human resource development.

Sai identified Chhattisgarh’s mineral wealth, forest resources, water availability, energy potential and hardworking population as important strengths supporting future growth.

He also referred to the positive response received from investors during his recent visit to Singapore.

According to the Chief Minister, discussions with senior executives of approximately 15 major companies had generated interest in investment opportunities in data centres, agricultural processing and other sectors.

He said the government’s industrial policy was designed to attract investment while expanding employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people.

Technology and Good Governance Central to Development

Sai also highlighted administrative reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability and public service delivery.

He referred to the establishment of the Good Governance and Convergence Department and the introduction of the e-office system in the state secretariat.

The government, he said, was accelerating the digitisation of public services to make administrative procedures more accessible, efficient and transparent.

The Chief Minister maintained that healthy citizens, empowered young people, modern infrastructure and responsive governance were essential foundations of a developed Chhattisgarh.

O. P. Choudhary Sees Nava Raipur as Emerging Sports and Investment Hub

Finance, Housing and Environment Minister O. P. Choudhary said Chhattisgarh’s development was no longer confined to mining and heavy industries.

He observed that the state was making progress in education, healthcare, technology, services and modern urban infrastructure.

Nava Raipur, he said, was emerging as a major centre of these developments.

Choudhary welcomed Gopichand’s decision to establish a badminton academy in Chhattisgarh, describing it as an important opportunity for young athletes.

He noted that following Amaravati and Hyderabad, the proposed academy would extend Gopichand’s training initiatives to Chhattisgarh.

The minister also highlighted the presence of nationally recognised educational institutions such as IIT, IIM, AIIMS and CIPET, alongside plans involving the National Institute of Fashion Technology and National Forensic Sciences University.

He said work was progressing towards establishing data centre and semiconductor facilities in Nava Raipur under the leadership of Chief Minister Sai.

Referring to the state’s Anjor vision document, Choudhary said the government was pursuing long-term planning to transform Chhattisgarh into a developed state.

Pullela Gopichand Praises Chhattisgarh’s Sports Development Initiatives

Padma Bhushan awardee Pullela Gopichand expressed appreciation for the welcome extended by Chief Minister Sai and the state government.

He said Nava Raipur’s planned development and urban infrastructure had positively influenced his perception of Chhattisgarh’s potential.

Gopichand welcomed the Elysium Clubs initiative as an effort to promote sports, physical fitness and healthy lifestyles.

Reflecting on India’s changing sporting culture, he said attitudes towards sports had undergone a significant transformation over the past decade.

He recalled his interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi following the 2014 Commonwealth Games and emphasised the importance of national pride and confidence generated by international sporting achievements.

According to Gopichand, when an Indian athlete succeeds internationally and the national flag is raised, the achievement strengthens the confidence of the entire country.

Physical Fitness Must Accompany Academic Education

Gopichand stressed that children’s physical development should receive attention equal to academic education.

He said young people must have adequate opportunities to run, jump, climb and participate in various physical activities.

Sports, he observed, should not be viewed solely as a means of producing professional athletes.

They also contribute to the development of healthier, more disciplined and confident citizens.

He praised the Chhattisgarh government’s efforts to encourage investment in sports infrastructure and promote sporting excellence.

Gopichand maintained that achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047 would require a generation that was not only educated but also physically fit, active and disciplined.

Sports Investment as a Foundation for a Developed Chhattisgarh

The partnership announcement between Sendh Lake City and Elysium Clubs reflects the growing recognition of sports infrastructure as an important component of urban development and youth empowerment.

For Chhattisgarh, the proposed badminton academy offers an opportunity to strengthen professional training while inspiring young athletes to pursue competitive sports.

The initiative also demonstrates how cooperation between the government, sporting professionals and private institutions can contribute to the development of specialised facilities.

The event was attended by Prahlad Rai Agrawal, Deepchand Rajliwal, Pavitra Kumar, Dr Himanshu Dwivedi and several other guests and citizens.

With the state government emphasising sports infrastructure, talent identification and modern training facilities, the challenge ahead will be to ensure that these initiatives reach promising athletes across Chhattisgarh, including those from remote rural and tribal communities.