Sachin Tendulkar Bastar visit highlights Maidan Cup youth sports initiative in Dantewada

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai praised Sachin Tendulkar’s visit to Chhindnar village in Dantewada, calling it a point of pride and a boost for children and youth. Tendulkar attended the Maidan Cup Campaign, run by the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation and Mann Deshi Foundation, to support grassroots sports and infrastructure in tribal areas across Bastar.

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said Sachin Tendulkar’s visit to Bastar showed changing ground realities. Sai called the tour a proud moment for the state. Sai said the visit could motivate children and young people. Tendulkar visited Dantewada district under a grassroots sports effort, three weeks after Sai said Chhattisgarh was Naxal-free.

Tendulkar travelled to Chhindnar village in Dantewada on Wednesday. Sai wrote on X that the visit reflected Bastar’s shift from fear to development. Sai linked the tour to opportunity and confidence for local communities. Sai also said Tendulkar’s interaction with children could encourage sports values and stronger self-belief.

Sachin Tendulkar visit in Bastar highlights grassroots sports push

During the visit, Tendulkar joined an event meant to help reshape a former Maoist hotbed. The plan aimed to build a strong sports culture and create options for youth. Tendulkar stressed the need for effort and routine practice. Tendulkar also said discipline mattered and that goals had no shortcuts.

Tendulkar spoke after opening a multi-sports ground at Swami Atmanand Hindi Medium High School. The school is in Chhindnar village of Dantewada district. The ground was built under the same grassroots sports initiative. Organisers said the goal was to turn the Maoist-affected region into a sports hub.

Maidan Cup initiative in Bastar targets new sports grounds

The new facility was one of 25 grounds developed under the Maidan Cup initiative. The district administration led the work with support from the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation and Mann Deshi Foundation. The effort aimed to move the region away from a conflict-linked image. It also sought to expand access to organised play.

Sai said the Maidan Cup Campaign was a forward-looking move for sports infrastructure in tribal areas. Sai added that such work supported holistic development. Sai also said the state government kept sports and youth development as priorities. The Maidan Cup initiative began last year and planned 50 playgrounds across Dantewada.

The broader Bastar region in southern Chhattisgarh has seven districts, and Dantewada is one of them. Tendulkar, a Bharat Ratna awardee, made a rare visit as part of the programme. Tendulkar also advised children to choose friends carefully. Tendulkar urged children to aim to become good human beings.

With inputs from PTI