Indian Olympic Association President P. T. Usha Meets Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

Chhattisgarh to Witness a New Era of Sports Development: IOA Expert Team to Guide Athletes

Raipur : Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai met with the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Rajya Sabha MP, Smt. P. T. Usha, in New Delhi today. The meeting focused on advancing sports in Chhattisgarh, strengthening sports infrastructure, training young athletes, and preparing the state for Olympic-level competitions.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to promoting sports talent at national and international levels, Chief Minister Sai stated that Chhattisgarh is dedicated to the holistic development of its athletes. He announced that the state government will reward Olympic medalists from Chhattisgarh with ₹3 crore for a gold medal, ₹2 crore for a silver medal, and ₹1 crore for a bronze medal as an incentive to encourage excellence in sports.

IOA Expert Team to Provide High-Level Training to Athletes

During the meeting, Smt. P. T. Usha revealed that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will send a special delegation to Chhattisgarh to guide and train athletes. This delegation will include experienced coaches and sports experts who will provide Olympic-level training and help refine the techniques of local players. She emphasized that Chhattisgarh has no shortage of sporting talent, and with the right guidance and resources, athletes from the state can achieve remarkable success on national and international platforms.

She also praised the Chhattisgarh government’s initiatives to promote sports, describing them as an exemplary model for sports development in India.

Bastar Olympics and Abujhmad Peace Half Marathon to Uplift Sports Talent

Chief Minister Sai highlighted the state’s commitment to fostering interest in sports among youth through specialized events. He mentioned the recently organized ‘Bastar Olympics’, which witnessed participation from over 1.65 lakh young athletes. The event aimed to identify and prepare local talent for national and international competitions.

He further announced that the ‘Abujhmad Peace Half Marathon’ will be held on March 2, 2025, with over 5,000 participants. This prestigious marathon will be conducted in three categories: 21 km, 10 km, and 5 km.

Through such initiatives, the government is inspiring young athletes and positioning Chhattisgarh as a strong sports hub. The collaboration between the Chhattisgarh government and the Indian Olympic Association will give a new dimension to sports development in the state.