📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
Sports
Deputy CM Sao Announces Inaugural Chhattisgarh Hockey League to Boost New Talent
✍️ ANI News
🗓 27 Aug 2026, 03:17 AM
👁 3
Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Sao said the inaugural Chhattisgarh Hockey League will provide a platform for emerging players as the state launches its first professional hockey competition.
Raipur, Chhattisgarh – The state government inaugurated the Chhattisgarh Hockey League on Tuesday, marking the launch of the first professional hockey tournament in the region. Deputy Chief Minister T.S. Sao addressed the gathering, emphasizing that the league is designed to nurture fresh talent and give young athletes exposure to high‑level competition.
Sao outlined that the league will feature teams from across the state, with matches scheduled over the next few months. He highlighted that the government has set up training camps, upgraded facilities, and secured sponsorships to ensure a robust platform for aspiring players.
The initiative aligns with the broader sports development agenda of the Chhattisgarh administration, which aims to promote grassroots participation and elevate the state's presence in national hockey circuits. Officials said the league will also create job opportunities for coaches, support staff, and related service providers.
Stakeholders, including former national players and local club representatives, welcomed the move, noting that a structured league can bridge the gap between amateur play and professional leagues. The inaugural season is slated to commence in early September, with the final expected by December.
Sao outlined that the league will feature teams from across the state, with matches scheduled over the next few months. He highlighted that the government has set up training camps, upgraded facilities, and secured sponsorships to ensure a robust platform for aspiring players.
The initiative aligns with the broader sports development agenda of the Chhattisgarh administration, which aims to promote grassroots participation and elevate the state's presence in national hockey circuits. Officials said the league will also create job opportunities for coaches, support staff, and related service providers.
Stakeholders, including former national players and local club representatives, welcomed the move, noting that a structured league can bridge the gap between amateur play and professional leagues. The inaugural season is slated to commence in early September, with the final expected by December.