Chief Minister Unveils Trophy of ‘DP World Nava Raipur Open 2026’, Takes a Swing to Encourage Golfers
132 Professional Golfers from India and Abroad Participating, Including 18 International Players
CM Says Nava Raipur Open Will Become New Identity of Chhattisgarh; State Government to Extend All Possible Support to Promote Golf
Event Held in the Distinguished Presence of 1983 World Cup-Winning Indian Cricket Team Captain and PGTI President Kapil Dev
Chhattisgarh to Emerge as a Major Golf Destination in Future, Like Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata
CM Welcomes Players from India and Abroad, Invites Them to Explore Natural Beauty of Bastar and Surguja
Raipur, Sept 2026 2026 : Chhattisgarh is rapidly establishing itself as an emerging sports destination in the country. The expansion of sports infrastructure, better training and opportunities for talent, and hosting of prestigious national and international sporting events have given fresh momentum to the state’s sporting culture. The hosting of a major professional golf tournament in Nava Raipur is another significant achievement in this journey. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said this while addressing the prestigious ‘DP World Nava Raipur Open 2026’, organised by the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) at Fairway Golf and Country Club Resort in Nava Raipur.
Chief Minister Sai expressed confidence that the ‘DP World Nava Raipur Open 2026’ would become a new identity of Chhattisgarh in the coming years and play an important role in establishing Nava Raipur as a major golf destination in India and abroad.
The Chief Minister unveiled the attractive trophy of the tournament and warmly welcomed professional golfers from India and abroad to Chhattisgarh. The distinguished presence of Kapil Dev, captain of India’s 1983 Cricket World Cup-winning team and President of the Professional Golf Tour of India, added further prestige to the event.
The Chief Minister also tried his hand at golf on the course and encouraged the players by playing an impressive shot. His appearance on the golf course generated considerable enthusiasm among the players, sports enthusiasts and guests present.
Participation of 132 Professional Players a Matter of Pride for Chhattisgarh
Chief Minister Sai said it was a matter of happiness and pride for the state that such a prestigious professional golf event was being held in Nava Raipur. A total of 132 professional players from India and abroad are participating in the competition, including 18 international players. The participation of leading golfers from across the country and the world reflects the favourable environment that is developing for sports in Chhattisgarh.
He said the impact of such events is not limited to the sporting arena. They strengthen the state’s national and international identity, promote sports tourism and provide local youngsters with an opportunity to watch world-class players closely and draw inspiration from them. The state government is working to ensure that major sporting events in different disciplines are held regularly in Chhattisgarh and that the state’s talented athletes get better platforms to advance their careers.
Once Golf Was Seen Only in Films, Today Chhattisgarh is Hosting a Major Tournament
Recalling his association with golf, Chief Minister Sai said there was a time when people could only hear about golf or watch people playing it in films. Today, in a changing Chhattisgarh, the state itself is hosting such a major professional golf event. This is a positive indication of the development of the state as well as the rapidly growing sporting culture here.
The Chief Minister said golf was earlier generally regarded as a sport associated with industrialists and affluent sections of society. However, over time, its reach has expanded and a large number of new players are taking up the sport. The potential for golf is also growing rapidly in Chhattisgarh. The state government will extend all possible support to promote golf, expand the necessary facilities and organise prestigious tournaments.
New Opportunities Emerging Along with Expansion of Sports Infrastructure
Chief Minister Sai said the state government is promoting sports by linking them with personality development, discipline, confidence among youth and the identity of Chhattisgarh. Sports infrastructure is continuously being expanded across the state. Chhattisgarh has a grand cricket stadium that is among the country’s major international cricket stadiums, while national-level events in various sporting disciplines are also being organised regularly.
He said the state government has included the Mukhyamantri Khel Utkarsh Mission in the budget with the objective of identifying talent, providing modern training and better resources, and creating opportunities for athletes to participate in national and international competitions. The government is firmly committed to ensuring that a lack of resources or opportunities does not become a barrier for talented athletes.
The Chief Minister said that in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Khelo India’ and ‘Fit India’, a broad sporting environment is being created in Chhattisgarh. The state successfully hosted the National Tribal Games, in which around 2,500 players from different states participated. Similarly, innovative events such as the Bastar Olympics and Surguja Olympics have provided thousands of children and young people from remote areas with major platforms to showcase their sporting talent.
Peace and Development in Bastar Giving New Wings to Youth Dreams
Chief Minister Sai said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the strong determination of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the courage of the security forces, decisive success has been achieved against Naxalism in Bastar. Today, Bastar is rapidly moving towards peace, trust, development and new possibilities.
He said the large-scale participation of youth in the Bastar Olympics is a powerful expression of this positive transformation. Areas once known for violence and Naxalism are today seeing young people move forward with their talent, energy and dreams on sports fields. This reflects the changing Bastar and the changing Chhattisgarh.
The Chief Minister said cricket, hockey, archery, athletics and several other sporting disciplines are being promoted in the state. The hosting of major professional golf events will now add a new dimension to Chhattisgarh’s sporting journey.
Explore Chhattisgarh’s Culture and Natural Beauty Along with Golf: CM
Chief Minister Sai warmly welcomed players from India and abroad participating in the tournament and invited them to explore Chhattisgarh’s natural beauty, tribal culture and tourist destinations. He said that when the players return, they should carry back not only memories of the tournament but also fond memories of the warm hospitality of the people of Chhattisgarh and the state’s beautiful landscapes.
The Chief Minister specifically highlighted Bastar and Surguja, saying nature has endowed Chhattisgarh with unparalleled beauty. Bastar’s famous Chitrakote Waterfall, also known as the Niagara of India, along with numerous waterfalls, forest areas and natural attractions, draws tourists. Similarly, Surguja is known for its natural beauty, hills, forests and distinctive culture. He urged the players to take time out during the competition to explore Chhattisgarh and visit its tourist destinations.
The Chief Minister thanked all sponsors associated with the ‘DP World Nava Raipur Open 2026’, the Professional Golf Tour of India team and everyone involved in organising the event, and extended his best wishes for the success of the tournament.
Major Golf Tournament Should be Held in Chhattisgarh Every Year: Kapil Dev
PGTI President and captain of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning cricket team Kapil Dev thanked Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and the Chhattisgarh government for their support in organising the ‘DP World Nava Raipur Open 2026’. He said such major professional events play an important role in strengthening the sporting culture of a state and inspiring new talent.
Kapil Dev said Chhattisgarh has immense potential for the development of golf as well as other sports. He expressed the wish that this prestigious golf tournament should be held in Chhattisgarh every year, with dates for the coming years decided in advance. This would enable professional players from India and abroad to plan their visit to Chhattisgarh according to their international tournament calendars.
He said the environment in Chhattisgarh is highly conducive to golf and that the warm hospitality extended to players is one of its special characteristics. He expressed confidence that just as Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata are known today as important centres of golf, Chhattisgarh too would establish a strong identity as one of the country’s leading golf destinations in the coming years.
Kapil Dev praised Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai’s positive approach towards sports and specifically thanked him for promoting sports such as golf and supporting the organisation of major professional tournaments.
PGTI CEO Amandeep Chahal said that whenever the Professional Golf Tour of India team visits Chhattisgarh, it receives a warm and grand welcome. Players who compete in Chhattisgarh are impressed by the environment, golf course and arrangements and express a desire to return and play here again. Chhattisgarh is now increasingly being recognised not only for tourism and other sports but also as an emerging golf destination.
It is noteworthy that the ‘DP World Nava Raipur Open 2026’ is not only providing leading players from India and abroad with a prestigious competitive platform, but is also proving to be an important step towards placing Nava Raipur and Chhattisgarh on the national and international golf map. The major sporting events being organised regularly in the state, expanding sports infrastructure and new opportunities being created for athletes are helping Chhattisgarh move towards becoming one of the country’s leading sports destinations in the coming years.
