Bastar youths shine at first National Tribal Kayaking and Canoeing Championship

RAIPUR: Adding glory to the Silver Jubilee celebration of Chhattisgarh’s foundation day, the youths of Bastar brought immense pride to the state by clinching 10 medals at the first National Tribal Kayaking and Canoeing Championship held at Hussain Sagar, Hyderabad, from October 28 to 31.

The championship, which featured junior and senior categories for both men and women, saw outstanding performances from Chhattisgarh’s athletes, particularly from the Bastar region — where the sport was introduced only a few years ago. Manmati Baghel stood out by winning a bronze medal in the C2 Women 500m Senior event and another bronze in the C1 Women 500m Senior race. She also earned a bronze medal as part of the C4 Mixed 500m Senior team and a bronze in the C2 Mixed 500m Senior race alongside Sagar. In the senior category, Satish Kumar Dhruv secured a silver medal in the C1 500m event, while Satdev Baghel bagged a bronze in the K1 500m senior race. The junior team consisting of Sagar, Sumit, and Anuj won a bronze medal in the C4 500m category, and Isha Malti won a bronze in the K2 500m sub-junior group. Additionally, Manmati Baghel earned a bronze medal in the C2 Women 200m Senior event. This stellar display by Chhattisgarh’s athletes, particularly the Bastar girls, highlights their growing prowess and potential on the national stage in kayaking and canoeing.

Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association joint secretary Prashant Singh Raghuvanshi said that the achievement is a testament to the state’s growing sporting culture. “The sport started in Jagdalpur with limited resources, but consistent training and determination have brought national-level recognition,” he said. He credited coach Ashok Sahu, who provides training in Jagdalpur, for developing local talent and motivating tribal youth to take up the sport. He added that the national success of Bastar’s athletes demonstrates the region’s vast potential, which could be further realized with greater investment in equipment and training facilities. Simultaneously, coach Pinki Sahu has been grooming athletes at Raipur’s Budha Talab, where players have consistently won medals in various national-level competitions.