Bastar Olympics 2025 is starting from today in Chhattisgarh. Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai will inaugurate it. This division level event will run from 11 to 13 December in Jagdalpur. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be present as the chief guest on its closing occasion.
The special thing about the event is that surrendered Naxalites are also participating in it as players. 54 surrendered Naxalites from Kanker will compete in Kabaddi, tug of war with “Nua Baat” team. Apart from this, he will also participate in a large number of other sports. According to the administration, this initiative is an important step to connect the surrendered Naxalites with the mainstream under the rehabilitation policy. This is the second year when surrendered Naxalites will also be a part of this Olympics like players.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai will inaugurate the Bastar Olympics. Home Minister Amit Shah will be chiefly present on its closing occasion. The country’s legendary boxer and six-time world champion Mary Kom is also attending the inauguration ceremony as a special guest. She will carry the torch of this Olympics. This time around 4 lakh players are participating in Bastar Olympics. At the division level, hundreds of players from the seven districts of Kanker, Bastar, Dantewada, Sukma, Narayanpur, Bijapur and Kondagaon are participating in the Bastar Olympics. The Chief Minister said that the increasing number of participants in various sports disciplines reflects the popularity of the event and the stable environment in the region.
The most notable initiative this year is the ‘Nua Baat’ team, which consists of surrendered Naxalites and members of families affected by Naxal violence. This team is being considered a symbol of the changing environment of Bastar towards social rehabilitation and returning to the mainstream. According to the administration, the number of players in the ‘Nua Bat’ team has doubled as compared to last year. While 350 players had participated in the year 2024, this time more than 761 players are participating in various sports.
