Home Minister Addresses Closing Ceremony of Bastar Olympics

• 15 Dec 2025

Why in News?

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, at the Bastar Olympics closing ceremony, reiterated the government’s resolve to end Naxalism by 31st March 2026, and announced plans to develop Bastar into the country’s most developed tribal region.

Key Points

• Transition: The Home Minister highlighted that Bastar had moved from fear to hope, with schools, roads, railways and highways replacing gunfire, and expressed confidence that the entire country would be Naxal-free by the next Bastar Olympics.
• Inauguration: Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai had inaugurated the three-day divisional-level Bastar Olympics at Indira Priyadarshini Stadium, Jagdalpur.
• Participation: Around 3,500 athletes from all seven Bastar districts, including surrendered Naxalites and Naxal-affected players under the Nua Baat category, participated in the event.
• Expansion: The second edition recorded a massive rise in participation, increasing from 1.65 lakh players last year to about 3.92 lakh this year.
• Inclusion: Women, Divyang players, surrendered Maoists, and those affected by Naxal violence took part, making the Olympics a symbol of social inclusion.
• Empowerment: Women’s participation increased nearly threefold, reflecting growing confidence and empowerment among girls in the Bastar region.
• Platform: The Bastar Olympics were conducted across cluster, block, district and divisional levels, creating a structured pathway for talent identification.
• Disciplines: Eleven sports disciplines, including athletics, archery, football, kabaddi, hockey and kho-kho, were featured in the tournament.
• Opportunity: The state government assured enhanced training and exposure for talented athletes to prepare them for national and international competitions.
• Recognition: The government reiterated cash rewards of ₹3 crore, ₹2 crore and ₹1 crore for Chhattisgarh athletes winning gold, silver and bronze medals at international Olympic events.
• Transformation: The Bastar Olympics concluded as a strong symbol of Bastar’s shift from conflict to peace, trust, cultural revival and aspirations for a prosperous future.