With the war against Naxalism on the last phase, the Chhattisgarh government is aiming to turn Jashpur as the state’s sports capital. Tribal children are being trained for rock climbing, archery, cricket and basketball.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai told The Tribune the government intends to present the state’s youth in sports on national and global platforms.
“Jashpur and the tribal regions of Chhattisgarh are blessed with immense sporting talent, who possess remarkable strength, discipline and determination. Our government is committed to ensuring that talent from villages and remote regions gets access to world-class opportunities, training and exposure. By strengthening sports infrastructure, coaching facilities and talent development pathways, we aim to see our youth proudly represent Chhattisgarh and India on global platforms,” he said.
Pandri Bai who is from the state’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTGs) is a hostel warden in Jashpur’s Ichkela village where even mobile signals are difficult to find. Due to her intervention, girls developed an interest in playing cricket. She bears the training and logistics fees for the girls. A coach has also been appointed to train over 27 girls. Her daughter, Akanksha Rani has been representing the state in the under-19 category.
“The girls are very talented. With guidance and training, they can represent the state in nationals,” she told The Tribune.
The state government recently approved over Rs 64 crore for the construction of a state-of-the-art Integrated Sports Complex in Kunkuri, Jashpur district.
The construction of this complex will provide players with national and international-level facilities. Young people from rural and tribal areas who are interested in sports will have access to national and international-standard sports infrastructure. Players will no longer need to move to big cities for training and opportunities.
Last year, in a remarkable feat, a team of tribal youths from Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh, has opened a new alpine route on the 5,340-meter-high Jagatsukh Peak in the Duhangan Valley of Manali, Himachal Pradesh. The route was named the ‘Vishnu Deo Route’ in honour of the Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
Today, one of the climbers, Ravi Singh, is imparting training to the school students in the tribal belt. “The turnout of the students is huge. Since Jashpur is a mountaineering region, the children have stamina. They are responsive to training and we hope they will represent the state at a global platform,” he told The Tribune.
