41st Youth National Basketball Championship Concludes at Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Mhalunge-Balewadi
Pune, November 2026 : The country's sports sector is undergoing a major transformation, with the Khelo India initiative taking sports to villages across rural India. This has provided athletes from rural areas with opportunities to demonstrate their talent at national and international levels, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said.
He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the 41st Youth National Basketball Championship (Chief Minister's Cup), held at the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Mhalunge-Balewadi.
MLAs Vikrant Patil and Shankar Jagtap, Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram, Sports Commissioner Deepak Singla, Basketball Federation of India's Secretary Subinder Singh Gill, Maharashtra State Basketball Association President Sandeep Joshi and other dignitaries were present.
Highlighting the important role played by the Balewadi sports complex in Maharashtra's sporting ecosystem, Fadnavis said that athletes from the state had consistently performed well and won medals at Khelo India competitions. The state government had established specialised training centres for various sports under its ‘Mission Lakshyavedh’ initiative.
Basketball is a popular sport in Maharashtra, which has produced several quality players for the country, he said. National-level competitions provide athletes with valuable experience and opportunities to compete at the highest level. The Chief Minister also appreciated the Maharashtra State Basketball Association for organising the championship successfully.
Referring to India's performance at the Asian Games, Fadnavis said the country had won 48 medals, with athletes from 17 states contributing to the tally. Players from ordinary families had overcome difficult circumstances to achieve success in sports such as kabaddi, shooting and archery.
“What matters is not the circumstances of an athlete but their determination, hard work and dedication to the sport,” he said.
The Chief Minister congratulated all the winning and participating teams. Although Maharashtra's team could not reach the final this year, he said there was no reason for disappointment, as victory and defeat were part of sports. The players would have another opportunity to perform better in future competitions.
He emphasised that determination, ambition and sportsmanship were essential qualities for athletes. Those who continued to work hard despite setbacks, he said, would eventually achieve success.
Fadnavis also noted that teams from different states participating in the championship reflected India's diversity and unity. Players from southern and northern states were coming together to strengthen the country's sporting reputation.
Kulwinder Singh Gill said that, through the efforts of the Maharashtra State Basketball Association, the performance of the state's boys' and girls' teams had steadily improved at the national level. Athletes from Maharashtra were winning national medals and representing the country in international competitions.
He expressed hope that the upcoming basketball stadium being developed in Nagpur through the efforts of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis would host not only national championships but also international basketball tournaments in the future.
Maharashtra State Basketball Association President Sandeep Joshi delivered the introductory address.
Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh Win Youth National Basketball Titles
At the prize distribution ceremony of the 41st Youth National Basketball Championship (Chief Minister's Cup), individual and team winners were felicitated.
Tamil Nadu emerged champion in the girls' category, while Uttar Pradesh clinched the title in the boys' category.
Karnataka finished as runners-up in the girls' category, while Madhya Pradesh secured the runners-up position in the boys' category.
The Chief Minister also felicitated Maharashtra's Yashdeep Bhoge, who won a silver medal in archery at the Asian Games held in Japan.
