Chhattisgarh's Tribal Athletes Lead Historic Softball Triumph at National Championship
In a remarkable display of talent and resilience, Chhattisgarh has etched its name in the annals of Indian sports by securing a historic gold medal in the girls' category and a bronze in the boys' section at the 38th Sub-Junior National Softball Championship. The tournament, held in Haryana from January 9 to 12, witnessed young tribal players from the Maoist-affected Bijapur district playing a pivotal role in powering the state to glory.
A Watershed Moment for Chhattisgarh Softball
This championship marked a watershed moment for Chhattisgarh's softball program. The girls' team clinched their first-ever gold medal at the national level, while the boys' team returned with a well-deserved bronze. At the heart of both achievements were young tribal athletes from Bijapur, one of the state's most conflict-ridden districts, showcasing how sports can transcend adversity.
Girls' Team's Commanding Journey to Gold
The victorious girls' squad featured five tribal players from Bijapur, whose performances proved decisive throughout the tournament. They stamped their authority early with emphatic wins, thrashing Himachal Pradesh 10–0 and Jammu & Kashmir 9–0. A narrow 3–2 league-stage loss to hosts Haryana briefly halted their momentum, but this setback only strengthened their resolve.
Chhattisgarh bounced back emphatically, defeating last year's silver medallists Andhra Pradesh 13–3, followed by gritty wins over Kerala (1–0), Madhya Pradesh (3–0), and Rajasthan (3–1) to storm into the final. In the title clash against Haryana, the girls produced a commanding performance, avenging their earlier defeat with a 9–3 victory. Once again, it was the tribal talent from Bijapur that made the difference.
Key contributions came from players like Shilpa Marpalli, who led the batting charge with two towering home runs, and pitcher Anuradha Kovasi, who delivered a match-defining spell to choke Haryana's scoring. Asmita Marpalli impressed with her sharp slides, while Sapna Khalkho from Jashpur displayed remarkable grit, completing crucial catches despite sustaining an injury. Triveni Marpalli and Rinki Hemla, both from Bijapur, also made valuable contributions.
The gold-winning squad represented a wide cross-section of the state, with players hailing from Bijapur, Jashpur, Bemetara, Rajnandgaon, Durg, Raipur, and Kawardha, underlining Chhattisgarh's growing grassroots strength in sports.
Boys' Team's Impressive Bronze Campaign
The boys' team also delivered an impressive campaign, edging past Maharashtra to win the bronze medal. Their squad included three tribal players from Bijapur, highlighting the district's consistent contribution. Chhattisgarh began with emphatic victories over Goa (15–0) and Gujarat (8–0), followed by dominant Super League wins against Madhya Pradesh (5–0) and Punjab (12–0).
The boys' squad featured a diverse roster of talented players from across the state, including:
- Rahul Ekka, Sumit Khalkho, and Vimlesh Ekka from Jashpur
- Lakshya Nishad, Surya Kadti, and Abil Michcha from Bijapur
- Shubham Sen, Pankaj Meravi, and Chandresh Kumar Korram from Kabirdham
- Lokesh Nayak and Sumit Sabarwal from Raipur
- Aryan Patel from Durg
- Ramanand Mishra from Korba
- Rohit Rajput from Rajnandgaon
- Komal Patil and Raju Nishad from Bemetara
Transforming Lives Through Sports in Conflict Zones
Sopan Karnewar, coach at the state-run Bijapur Sports Academy, emphasized that these achievements reflect years of effort by the district administration to identify sporting talent from remote, conflict-hit areas and provide structured training alongside education. "The district administration used to pick talented children from interior villages and train them in sports of their choice while ensuring their schooling," Karnewar told TOI.
He recalled the inspiring journey of Surya Kadti, one of the youngest players in the boys' team. "Surya lost his parents in a Maoist attack around 2015. The CRPF rescued him and brought him to us," Karnewar said, adding that the boy's rise to national-level competition symbolizes how sport can transform lives in violence-affected regions.
Bijapur deputy collector Narayan Gavel, also the district's sports in-charge, noted that following state government directives, the administration is building platforms for children in this Maoist-hit region to steer them away from deviation. "This hostel accommodation is funded by the DMF, ensuring sustained support for their development," he affirmed.
This historic performance not only brings pride to Chhattisgarh but also serves as a powerful testament to the potential of youth from challenging backgrounds, proving that with the right opportunities, they can excel on the national stage.
