Union Minister of State Shri Tokhan Sahu inaugurated the four-day competition, 540 players from all five divisions performed an impressive march past.

Excellent presentation of cultural programmes by school girls

Raipur, August 2026/ The 26th State Level School Sports Competition was inaugurated in a grand manner on Tuesday at the Physical College ground in Pendra amidst a pleasant and enthusiastic atmosphere amidst drizzle. Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs, Shri Tokhan Sahu, hoisted the flag and formally declared the four-day competition, which will run from August 18 to 21. The enthusiasm of sports talents, cultural presentations and the impressive march past at the opening ceremony made the entire atmosphere sporting.

A total of 540 players aged 14 to 19 years old from the state's five divisions: Raipur, Bilaspur, Durg, Bastar, and Surguja are participating in the competition. Participants will showcase their athletic talent and skills in various sports disciplines.

Pledged to play with sportsmanship and discipline

At the inauguration, Union Minister of State Shri Tokhan Sahu administered the oath to all participating athletes to participate in the competition with true discipline, integrity, and sportsmanship, fully adhering to the rules of the game. He urged the athletes to uphold the pride of their sport, the honor of their state, and the high traditions of sportsmanship.

Welcoming and congratulating all the players and guests participating in the competition on GPM soil, he said that the perspective on sports has changed. In sports, we either win or learn. Encouraging the players, he said, "Play sports in a way that makes it a study, and study in a way that makes it a game."

Mr. Sahu encouraged the players to move forward with confidence, discipline, and sportsmanship, free from stress and depression. He emphasized that sports are not just a means to win competitions, but also an important means to develop discipline, confidence, patience, and a fighting spirit in life. He wished all participating players a bright future.

540 players will showcase their talent in four sports disciplines.

The four-day state-level competition is featuring events in gymnastics, kabaddi, cricket, and taekwondo. Boys and girls are participating in gymnastics, girls in kabaddi, boys in cricket, and boys and girls in taekwondo.

Under the competition, gymnastics competitions are being organised in Gymnastics Hall, Gurukul Gaurela, cricket competitions in Physical College Ground, Gurukul Pendra, Taekwondo competitions in District Auditorium Pendra and Kabaddi competitions in Kabaddi Training Centre Pendra.

Attractive march past of players in colourful costumes

The most impressive spectacle of the opening ceremony was the march past of athletes from all five divisions. Dressed in vibrant saffron, yellow, blue, green, red, and white uniforms, the teams marched with discipline and enthusiasm. The players' enthusiasm and excitement filled the entire arena with thunderous applause.

On this occasion, schoolgirls presented a colorful cultural program, showcasing Chhattisgarh's cultural diversity and the talents of the students. The cultural presentations captivated the guests and spectators present.

A grand stage will be built in the Physical College ground.

During the event, Kota Assembly Constituency MLA Shri Atal Shrivastava congratulated all participating athletes for their excellent performance. He encouraged the athletes and wished them success in the competition.