Raipur, August 25: The inaugural edition of the Chhattisgarh Hockey League (CHL) will take place from October 21 to November 1 at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Hockey Stadium in Raipur. This franchise-based league will feature six teams representing different regions of the state, including the Capital Royals, Chitrakoot Challengers, Sanskardhani Strikers, Chakradhar Champions, Nyaydhani Knights, and Manpur Titans.
Prominent Indian hockey players and Olympic medalists Gurjant Singh, Shamsher Singh, and Surender Kumar have been included as ‘marquee players’ for the first season. Other key players from the Indian team, such as Jaskaran Singh and Devender Walmiki, will also participate in this league.
The league will follow a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the semifinals. The semifinals will be knockout matches, while the championship match is scheduled for November 1. An exhibition match featuring women’s teams is also planned for the final day.
During a recent event, the official logos, mascots, and identities of the six participating teams were unveiled, attended by Chhattisgarh’s Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare, Arun Saw, along with senior officials from the department and Hockey Chhattisgarh.
On this occasion, Saw stated, “Chhattisgarh has a strong base of athletes in sports. It is an honor to be the first state to launch an official state hockey league. This reinforces our commitment to the national sport and is evidence of the efforts made by the Sports and Youth Welfare Department in recent years. The Chhattisgarh Hockey League marks a significant beginning that could prove to be a remarkable chapter in the history of Indian hockey. Our primary aim has always been to provide state athletes with opportunities to excel at state, national, and international levels. We believe that CHL is a step in the right direction.”
The league’s visual identity features a stylish hockey player alongside the map of Chhattisgarh, symbolizing the state’s pride and its connection to the sport. The saffron and green colors represent Indian identity, while the orange stripe signifies energy, speed, and ambition.
The league’s official mascot, ‘Baghwa’ (a tiger), was also unveiled. This mascot symbolizes courage, strength, and resilience, inspired by Chhattisgarh’s forests and rich wildlife heritage. The league’s tagline, “Chalo Re Sangi, Hockey Khelbo,” reflects the state’s sporting identity and passion for hockey.
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