Four-day competition begins at Raja Fateh Singh Sports Ground; athletes to compete in football and kho-kho
Raipur, October 2026: The 26th State-Level School Sports Competition was inaugurated with great enthusiasm and colourful celebrations at the Raja Fateh Singh Sports Ground in Khairagarh on Monday. The four-day event was inaugurated by Dongargarh MLA Harshita Swami Baghel.
Around 330 athletes and 50 sports officials from five divisions of Chhattisgarh—Raipur, Surguja, Bilaspur, Durg and Bastar—are participating in the competition. Athletes from the boys' and girls' categories will demonstrate their sporting talent, skills and team spirit in football and kho-kho events.
The inaugural ceremony was marked by the enthusiasm of the athletes, captivating cultural performances by schoolchildren and an energetic atmosphere celebrating sports.
During the ceremony, the District Panchayat Vice-Chairperson formally inaugurated the football competition by scoring a goal into the goalpost. The move sparked excitement among the players and spectators gathered at the ground.
Varnika Singh, a national-level football player and student of Wesleyan School, Khairagarh, administered the sports oath to the participating athletes. She urged them to uphold sportsmanship, discipline and fairness, follow the rules and strive to deliver their best performances.
School students also welcomed the guests and athletes with an attractive welcome song and vibrant cultural performances.
Sports Develop Discipline, Confidence and Leadership Skills: MLA Harshita Swami Baghel
Addressing the inaugural ceremony, Dongargarh MLA Harshita Swami Baghel extended her best wishes to the participating athletes and said sports play an important role in the all-round development of students.
She noted that sporting activities contribute to physical and mental development while fostering discipline, self-confidence, leadership skills, cooperation and mutual harmony.
The MLA encouraged the athletes to rise above the outcomes of victory and defeat and give their best while upholding the spirit of sportsmanship. She also urged them to pursue regular practice, determination and hard work to establish their identities at the state and national levels.
Exciting Football and Kho-Kho Contests Among Athletes from Five Divisions
During the four-day state-level competition, athletes from Raipur, Surguja, Bilaspur, Durg and Bastar divisions will participate in various football and kho-kho events.
The competition will provide students with an opportunity to demonstrate their technical proficiency, physical abilities, strategic skills and team spirit. It will also encourage interaction, cooperation and mutual harmony among students from different divisions.
The event is expected to give fresh impetus to sporting activities in the district and inspire talented athletes to pursue greater achievements.
A large number of athletes, school students, public representatives and distinguished citizens attended the inaugural ceremony. They encouraged the participants and extended their best wishes for the successful conduct of the competition.
