New Dimension to Sports Culture in Kawardha: Premier League Provides a Strong Platform to Young Talents – Deputy CM Vijay Sharma

Raipur, Jan 2026 : The Kawardha Premier League has added a new dimension to the district’s sports culture, offering young athletes a strong platform to showcase and hone their talents, said Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma. The grand event, organized under his special initiative, was held for the first time in the district on an international standard format, drawing large crowds and generating excitement among sports enthusiasts.

The final match of the league was played at Karpati Stadium, Kawardha, between Ward No. 08 and Gram Sari. In a thrilling contest that went down to the last ball, Ward No. 08 set a target of 101 runs for Gram Sari. The chasing team fell short against disciplined bowling and strategic gameplay, making Ward No. 08 the champions of the inaugural Kawardha Premier League. Meanwhile, the third-place match between Gram Barenda and Ward No. 09 saw Gram Barenda emerge victorious through an impressive performance.

Before the final, Deputy CM Vijay Sharma performed a ceremonial puja to inaugurate the match. He interacted with the players, motivating them to play with discipline and sportsmanship. He even took part in the game, hitting impressive shots off balls delivered by the Municipal Chairperson and Deputy Zilla Panchayat Head, energizing both players and spectators. On the occasion, he also announced the construction of a mini stadium at Gram Barenda, further strengthening the district’s sports infrastructure.

Deputy CM Sharma emphasized that providing rural and urban talents with better platforms and facilities is a state government priority, enabling youth to advance in sports. He congratulated all participating players, organizers, and sports enthusiasts, noting that the league has given new momentum to the sports culture in the district. He specifically appreciated the discipline, dedication, and sportsmanship demonstrated by the athletes and promised to continue promoting similar events to nurture talent that could reach national and international levels.

The winning and runner-up teams were awarded cash prizes and trophies. Ward No. 08, the champions, received ₹1.11 lakh and a shield, Gram Sari, the runner-up, was awarded ₹51,000, and Gram Barenda, in third place, received ₹31,000 along with a trophy. Additionally, players recognized as the Best Bowler, Best Batsman, and Man of the Series were honored with shields.

The tournament, conducted across seven mandals of the Kawardha Assembly constituency, included preliminary competitions in each mandal, with 226 teams and over 4,500 registered players participating. The top four teams from each mandal advanced to the Super-28 League, with all matches held under modern floodlight facilities at Karpati Stadium. The event marked the largest cricket tournament in the history of Kabirdham district, inspiring youth and sports enthusiasts alike, and cementing Kawardha Premier League as a model for promoting sports in the region.