Raipur, October 23, 2025/ In the tribal-dominated Bastar region of Chhattisgarh, the ‘Bastar Olympics 2025’ is being organized to nurture the energy, enthusiasm, and talent of the youth. Under the guidance of Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai, the event is being held jointly by the Home (Police) Department and the Sports & Youth Welfare Department. This initiative will mark a new identity for Bastar in the state’s Silver Jubilee year.
The overwhelming response can be gauged from the fact that 3,91,289 players from seven districts of Bastar have registered so far, including 1,63,668 men and 2,27,621 women. This number not only reflects the growing enthusiasm of Bastar’s youth towards sports but also signifies that sports have become a symbol of new social consciousness and equal participation in the region.
A Step Toward Bringing Bastar’s Sports Talent to the National Stage
The primary objective of this initiative is to connect Bastar’s youth with the mainstream and identify their inherent sporting talent. This is not merely a sports event but a bridge of trust and communication between the government and the people. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program, said, “Bastar Olympics is not just a sports event; it is a confluence of development and sports where our youth are honing their talents and building a new India.” This model is being recognized nationwide as a unique initiative of “Sports for Peace and Trust.”
The competition features sports such as athletics, archery, football, badminton, kabaddi, kho-kho, volleyball, karate, weightlifting, and hockey. Alongside modern sports, traditional and indigenous games will also be promoted.
The Bastar Olympics also includes special categories for participants — persons disabled due to Naxal violence and surrendered Naxalites — making it a historic step toward rehabilitation, rejuvenation, and social reintegration through sports.
The competitions are being held at three levels — block, district, and divisional. The block-level games will begin on October 25, district-level on November 5, and divisional-level on November 24. Winners will receive cash prizes, medals, trophies, and shields, with direct transfer (DBT) of prize money into their bank accounts. Divisional-level winners will be promoted as “Bastar Youth Icons.” This “Sports for Peace” model is emerging as a symbol of new social consciousness in Bastar.
For ‘Bastar Olympics 2025,’ the wild buffalo and hill myna have been chosen as mascots, representing the vitality and community strength of Bastar. This event will not only celebrate sports but also mark the dawn of a new era of culture, harmony, and development in the region.
