The trials covered seven sports, with Raipur hosting competitions in wrestling, football, weightlifting, and hockey, while Bilaspur held trials for archery, athletics, and swimming. In Raipur, 558 athletes took part, including 355 men and 203 women. Matches and assessments were conducted at Swami Vivekananda Stadium, Kota, for wrestling, football, and weightlifting, and at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium for hockey.
District-wise participation highlighted wide representation across the state. Jashpur led with 92 athletes, followed by Balod (55), Kanker (51), Kabirdham (36), Bastar and Sukma (31 each), Narayanpur (27), and Sarguja and Kondagaon (23 each). Other districts including Raipur, Durg, Dharmati, Bilaspur, Dantewada, Korea, and Surajpur also contributed significantly.
Football emerged as the most popular sport in Raipur, with 333 athletes taking part, followed by hockey (148), weightlifting (40), and wrestling (37). In Bilaspur, 470 athletes participated at the State Sports Training Centre, Bahtarai, for archery and athletics, and at the district sports complex, Sarkanda, for swimming.
Officials from various sports federations, the Tribal Development Department, and the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare supervised the trials to ensure transparency and adherence to guidelines. “The trials reflect the growing interest and talent among our tribal youth. Selection for the national stage will provide them a platform to showcase their skills and gain recognition,” said a senior official from the Sports and Youth Welfare Department.
Selected athletes will go on to represent Chhattisgarh in the Khelo India National Tribal Games, which aim to promote sports among tribal communities, foster competitive spirit, and provide opportunities for national-level exposure. The trials are part of the state’s ongoing efforts to strengthen grassroots-level sports infrastructure and encourage participation from underrepresented communities.
These trials mark a significant step in nurturing tribal talent, creating a pathway for athletes to compete at higher levels, and enhancing Chhattisgarh’s presence in national sporting events.
