RAIPUR,CG,BHARAT: The National Games for Eklavya Model Residential Schools will be held in Raipur from December 15 to 19, 2024. The prestigious event, aimed at nurturing and promoting sports talent among Scheduled Tribe students, marks a significant milestone for Chhattisgarh as the host state.

A meeting of the State Level Organizing Committee, chaired by Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, was held at Mantralaya Mahanadi Bhawan to discuss and finalize preparations for the event. Jain issued directives for ensuring comprehensive arrangements, including player accommodations, transportation, venue preparation, security, and provision of essential utilities such as electricity and water.

Principal Secretary of the Tribal and Scheduled Caste Development Department, Sonmani Borah, highlighted the objectives of the games, emphasizing the importance of identifying and fostering the sports talent of tribal students to provide them opportunities for competing on various platforms.

The National Games will feature 23 sports disciplines, including, Individual and doubles games: Archery, athletics, badminton, boxing, chess, gymnastics, judo, yoga, tennis, shooting, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, weightlifting, and wrestling (freestyle). Team sports: Basketball, football, handball, hockey, kabaddi, kho-kho, and volleyball.

Competitions will be hosted at sports facilities in educational institutions and sports departments across Raipur. Approximately 6,000 players from 25 states are expected to participate, with registration being facilitated online via a dedicated portal.

To ensure the seamless execution of the games, 26 departmental committees have been established, covering all aspects of the event’s organization. The meeting, which also included video conferencing, saw participation from officials of key departments such as Sports and Youth Welfare, School Education, Higher Education, Public Health, Urban Administration, Tourism, Culture, and Tribal Affairs, alongside representatives from the Government of India.