CM Vishnu Dev Sai Honors Ichkela Girl Cricketers, Boosts Morale by Providing Cricket Kits

Raipur, March 2026 : Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Dev Sai today met the Chhattisgarh girls’ cricket team from Ichkela at the Multipurpose Indoor Basketball Stadium in Jashpur. He honored the players by presenting them with cricket kits and extended his best wishes for their bright future.

Shri Sai praised the talented girls for bringing national recognition not only to their district but also to the entire state through their outstanding performances. He encouraged the students, emphasizing that with discipline, dedication, and consistent practice, they can achieve even greater milestones in the future and bring glory to the country.

Notably, the girls from the Government Pre-Matric Girls’ Hostel in Ichkela, Jashpur, have been consistently excelling in cricket. Currently, 17 girls from this group represent the Chhattisgarh team in Under-17 and Under-19 state-level competitions, while around 40 players practice regularly. In 2025, the Sarguja division made history by winning the Under-17 state cricket championship after a 25-year gap, with 9 of the 11 winning players from Ichkela MCC. Similarly, in the Under-19 category, the division secured the silver medal, with 8 of the 11 players hailing from Ichkela MCC.

Furthermore, in the 2025 Inter-State Cricket Tournament held in Raigarh, Ichkela MCC girls achieved first place with remarkable performances. To date, 11 players from this group have represented the district and state at national-level competitions.

Chief Minister Shri Sai also appreciated the dedication and guidance of the players’ coaches, Shri Santosh Shankar Soni and Smt. Pandri Bai. He highlighted that taking rural girls to the national stage despite limited resources serves as an inspiring example.

Shri Sai reaffirmed that the state government is committed to nurturing sporting talent. He assured that girls emerging from rural areas will receive every possible encouragement and facility, enabling Chhattisgarh to reach new heights in sports.