Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday inaugurated the Chhattisgarhia Olympics 2023-24 at gram panchayat Nawagaon in Raipur on the occasion of the Hareli festival.

Baghel marked the beginning of the event by waving the green flag, symbolising the start of the ‘Gedi’ race. He personally distributed sports equipment to the participating players.

“Chhattisgarhia Olympics, now in its second year, has gained immense popularity. To cater to the growing interest, traditional sports, including rope jumping and wrestling, are now a part of this event for the first time. The event will feature competitions of 16 traditional sports in six phases, providing a platform for athletes to showcase their skills and compete at various levels,” said a senior official in the Chhattisgarh chief minister’s secretariat.

“Over 30 lakh women and men participants will take part in the Chhattisgarhia Olympics in three different age groups,” the official added.

“After the success of the first Chhattisgarhia Olympics observed during the first Tihar (a day when farmers worship their agricultural equipment) of the Hareli (the harvest festival observed in July). It has been decided to continue it every year with participation from senior citizens, women and children,” said the official.

In the Chhattisgarhia Olympics held last year more than 25 lakh people participated from rural areas and more than 1.30 lakh participated from cities. Even disabled participated in several competitions.

The traditional sports competition of Chhattisgarh will be organised in two categories, team and single. Games like Gilli Danda, Pittool, Sankhali, Langdi Run, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Tug of War and Banti (Kancha) have been included in the Chhattisgarhia Olympics in the team category. Sports of single category include billas, fugdi, cart race, bhanvra, 100 meter race, long jump, rope jump and wrestling.

Chhattisgarhia Olympics will be organised first in rural and urban areas, then zonal basis, at district and statelevels.