📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Mettle30
Sports
Chhattisgarh Hockey League Launched to Nurture Young Talent, Says Sardar Singh
✍️ LatestLY
🗓 21 Oct 2026, 04:32 PM
👁 10
The newly announced Chhattisgarh Hockey League aims to provide a competitive platform for emerging players, with former national captain Sardar Singh endorsing the initiative.
Raipur, Chhattisgarh – The state’s first professional hockey competition, the Chhattisgarh Hockey League, was unveiled this week with the explicit goal of creating a structured arena for young talent to showcase and hone their skills. Organisers said the league will feature eight franchise teams drawn from across the state, each fielding a mix of local prospects and experienced mentors.
Former Indian captain Sardar Singh, who attended the launch, praised the venture as a timely boost for grassroots hockey. He highlighted that regular high‑level matches are essential for bridging the gap between district tournaments and national selection.
The inaugural season is slated to begin in December, with matches scheduled at existing stadiums in Raipur and Bilaspur. Officials expect the league to attract scouts from the Hockey India federation and to serve as a feeder system for the senior national squad.
Stakeholders also announced scholarship schemes and coaching clinics linked to the league, aiming to provide holistic development for players aged 16‑23.
The initiative is being supported by the Chhattisgarh Sports Department and several corporate sponsors, signalling a coordinated effort to revive the sport’s popularity in central India.
Former Indian captain Sardar Singh, who attended the launch, praised the venture as a timely boost for grassroots hockey. He highlighted that regular high‑level matches are essential for bridging the gap between district tournaments and national selection.
The inaugural season is slated to begin in December, with matches scheduled at existing stadiums in Raipur and Bilaspur. Officials expect the league to attract scouts from the Hockey India federation and to serve as a feeder system for the senior national squad.
Stakeholders also announced scholarship schemes and coaching clinics linked to the league, aiming to provide holistic development for players aged 16‑23.
The initiative is being supported by the Chhattisgarh Sports Department and several corporate sponsors, signalling a coordinated effort to revive the sport’s popularity in central India.